Abstract
There have been few case reports of perioral myoclonia with absences (POMA) because of the lack of videopolygraphic recordings clarifying the electroencephalogram (EEG)-electromyogram (EMG) correlations. We describe one of the first video-polygraphic studies of POMA in a patient who underwent repeated and prolonged split-screen video-polygraphic recordings. The ictal EEG showed generalized and irregular discharges of spikes or multiple spikes and slow waves, while two concomitant EMG patterns appeared: (1) a rhythmic enhancement of the orbicularis oris and masseter muscles on both sides with minimal asymmetry corresponding to perioral movements, and (2) a progressive increase in muscular tone in the mylohyoideus muscle corresponding to oro-alimentary automatisms. Myoclonic jerks were inconstantly time-locked to the spike component of the spike-wave complex. The evidence of a complex pattern of activation of the facial muscles suggests that the involvement of subcortical central pattern generators, related to masticatory activity, through the disinhibitory effect of the spike-wave discharge is a possible pathophysiological mechanism underlying POMA.
Translated title of the contribution | Ictal video-polygraphic features of perioral myoclonia with absences |
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Original language | Italian |
Pages (from-to) | 122-124 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Bollettino - Lega Italiana contro l'Epilessia |
Issue number | 144 |
Publication status | Published - May 2012 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology