Effectiveness of Combining Behavioral Treatment With Valproic Acid for Dysphagia Caused by Palatal Myoclonus in Patients With Stroke: Two Case Reports

Palatal myoclonus (PM) is a rare disease that may induce dysphagia. Since dysphagia related to PM is unique and is characterized by myoclonic movements of the involved muscles, specific treatments are needed for rehabilitation. However, no study has investigated the treatment effectiveness for this condition. Therefore, the aim of this case report was to describe the benefit of combining behavioral treatment with valproic acid administration in patients with dysphagia triggered by PM. The two cases were treated with combined treatment. The outcomes evaluated by videofluoroscopic swallowing studies before and after the treatment showed significant decreases in myoclonic movements and improved swallowing function. We conclude that the combined treatment was effective against dysphagia related to PM.

[1]  D. Emery,et al.  Palato-pharyngo-laryngeal myoclonus … an unusual cause of dysphagia. , 2014, Age and ageing.

[2]  J. Rosenbek,et al.  Dysphagia in Rare Conditions: An Encyclopedia , 2009 .

[3]  M. D. Seze,et al.  Myoclonies vélo-pharyngées et dysphagie , 2004 .

[4]  I. Meister,et al.  Hypertrophic olivary degeneration following pontine haemorrhage: hypertensive crisis or cavernous haemangioma bleeding? , 2003, Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry.

[5]  M. Sumer.  Symptomatic palatal myoclonus: an unusual cause of respiratory difficulty. , 2001, Acta neurologica Belgica.

[6]  N. Salamon-Murayama,et al.  Diagnosis please. Case 17: hypertrophic olivary degeneration secondary to pontine hemorrhage. , 1999, Radiology.

[7]  A. Drysdale,et al.  Palato-pharyngo-laryngeal myoclonus: an unusual cause of dysphagia and dysarthria , 1993, The Journal of Laryngology & Otology.

[8]  M. McQuade,et al.  Bilateral palatal myoclonus. Pathophysiology and report of a case. , 1985, Oral surgery, oral medicine, and oral pathology.

[9]  M. Barat,et al.  [Palatal myoclonus and dysphagia]. , 2004, Annales de readaptation et de medecine physique : revue scientifique de la Societe francaise de reeducation fonctionnelle de readaptation et de medecine physique.

[10]  M. Hallett,et al.  Symptomatic and essential palatal tremor. 2. Differences of palatal movements , 1994, Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society.