The Syndrome of Rhythmic Palatal Myoclonus

Marked respiratory symptoms were present in a patient with the syndrome of rhythmic oculopalatopharyngolaryngo myoclonus. Respiratory muscle myoclonus can produce incoordination of respiratory muscles during breathing. Rhythmic vocal cord closure by myoclonic laryngeal muscles, however, can produce a more profound respiratory abnormality, with marked, phasic reduction in flows. In carefully selected circumstances, tracheostomy may be performed for relief of respiratory symptoms in patients with this syndrome.