MYOCLONUS

MYOCLONUS: Excerpt from Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care

The differential diagnosis of this sign is similar to that of tremors , but a few additional possibilities should be kept in mind. Idiopathic myoclonus epilepsy, petit mal epilepsy (with the petit mal triad), grand mal epilepsy, and hysteria are the important ones to remember. Congenital hypsarrhythmia may present with salaam seizures. Decerebrate states are associated with myoclonic jerks in which there are flexion of the arms and extension of the legs. Phenothiazine and other tranquilizers may cause myoclonus. l-Dopa will cause oculogyric crisis and smacking of lips. The workup of these conditions includes a skull x-ray, EEG (preferably sleep), possibly a CT scan, and, if there is no evidence of increased intracranial pressure, a spinal tap. It is recommended that the patient be referred to a neurologist for this workup.

Book Source Details

• Book Title: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care
• Author(s): R. Douglas Collins MD, FACP
• Year of Publication: 2007
• Copyright Details: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, Copyright © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

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Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

More About This Book: Title: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care Authors: R. Douglas Collins MD, FACP Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright: 2007 ISBN: 0-7817-6812-8

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