NeuroTeach 31 - Dancing larynx

Dancing larynx!!!

“a variant of palatal tremor?”

British neurologist Anette-Eleonore Schrag 1999, first description

2) Definition

“rhythmic vertical laryngeal cage movements of varying frequency with synchronous movements of the tongue, posterior pharynx, and the palatopharyngeal arch” - not affecting uvula

3) Pathophysiology

Variant of palatal tremor - oscillatory firing of neurons in the inferior olives Functional

4) Clinical clues

i) suppressed by action ii) no palatal tremor - no uvula involvement iii) sensory triggers - head flexion trigger attacks iv) no focal dystonia - sleep persistence & ear click

5) Management

- spontaneous recovery - botox

6) Dancing larynx

💡MS 💡irritation of the trigeminal nerve motor root or pons