Case Report

Vol. 17 No. 6 (2021): The Journal of International Advanced Otology
DOI: https://doi.org/%2010.5152/iao.2021.21064

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Published: Nov 1, 2021
Keywords:
Ear, electromyography, muscle contraction, myoclonus, pregabalin

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Christopher E. Jabbour
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
Raja A. Sawaya
Department of Neurology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
George M. Zaytoun
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon

Auricular Myoclonus: A Case Report and Literature Review

Main Article Content

Christopher E. Jabbour
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
Raja A. Sawaya
Department of Neurology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
George M. Zaytoun
Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon

Abstract

Auricular myoclonus is an extremely rare disorder that manifests as involuntary semi-rhythmic movements of the auricle. We report the case of a 15-year-old female who presented to our outpatient clinics with bilateral spontaneous, uncontrolled movements of the auricles (auricular myoclonus) that are only briefly suppressible by some facial movements and completely disappear during sleep. Needle electromyography revealed baseline tonic motor unit activity with bursts of higher motor units amplitude in the posterior and superior auricularis muscles. Her symptoms improved with pregabalin intake, however, with incomplete resolution. This paper will review previously reported cases, as well as the different treatment modalities that have been used.

Cite this article as: Jabbour CE, Sawaya RA, Zaytoun GM. Auricular myoclonus: A case report and literature review. J Int Adv Otol. 2021;17(6):581-583


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