Trigeminal myokymia in a young girl

J Child Neurol. 2003 Aug;18(8):572-4. doi: 10.1177/08830738030180081201.

Abstract

Myokymia results from complex bursts of repetitive discharges of a motor unit typically attributable to a demyelinating condition. We report a 12-year-old girl with unilateral trigeminal myokymia who presented with involuntary jaw movements. Electromyography demonstrated unilateral rhythmic myokymic discharges in the left masseter and temporalis muscles at a rate of 3.5 Hz. Abnormal jaw movements spontaneously resolved over 8 months without treatment or residual deficits. The pathophysiology of myokymic discharges is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Electromyography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Jaw / physiopathology*
  • Masseter Muscle / physiopathology*
  • Myokymia / diagnosis
  • Myokymia / physiopathology*
  • Trigeminal Nerve* / pathology