Essential palatal myoclonus with spontaneous resolution: a rare case report

Introduction and Importance: Palatal myoclonus is a rare movement disorder characterized by involuntary, jerky movements of the soft palate and palatal musculature. It can be broadly divided into two types: essential palatal myoclonus (EPM) and symptomatic palatal myoclonus (SPM). In this case report we report a rare case of essential palatal myoclonus in pediatric patient which resolved on its own during follow-up. Case Presentation: A 8-year-old male presented with upper respiratory symptoms, with further examinations and investigations led to the diagnosis of essential palatal myoclonus. The patient had no accompanying neurological symptoms and brain imaging revealed no distinct lesions. The presentation was incidental and was resolved spontaneously within one year. Clinical Discussion: This case reports a rare occurrence of essential palatal myoclonus in pediatric patient. Careful clinical assessment is required to differentiate with symptomatic palatal myoclonus and brain imaging also helps to rule out any brain pathologies leading to palatal myoclonus. Conclusion: This case report contributes to scant pediatric literature on EPM and emphasize the need of clinicians to understand the benign nature in order to prevent unnecessary investigations and treatment.