Ask a doctor on the topic of Otorhinolaryngology

Continuously contracting muscle

March 19, 2012 | 25,00 EUR | answered by Christian Welsch

Dear ENT specialist,

Concern / Question:
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Could you please watch the attached video and tell me what you think of it (also pay attention to the sound)?

Could this be a so-called palatinus tremor? If so, how could it be treated? I once asked my general dentist which muscle could be contracting there continuously. He suspected this one: pterygoideus medialis.

Background:
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My problem is that I sleep miserably and - especially when the room is cool - I wake up in the morning with symptoms like a severe flu.
I have been searching for a long time what it could be, and finally the university clinic diagnosed a tendomyopathy of the chewing muscles and treated me with Botox in the chewing muscle. This already helps a bit, but I wonder if there is another problem here, namely this constantly contracting muscle.

Christian Welsch

Dear inquirer,

After a literature research, I would say yes, that is a Palatal Tremor. Most likely, the M. Tensor veli palatini is affected, and this could be treated with Botox therapy through health insurance, if a corresponding application is made. In my opinion, you should undergo a neurological examination if you have not already done so, as well as a sleep medicine examination. Sleep apnea resulting from dysfunction of the soft palate could be the cause of the morning throat discomfort.

The condition is so rare overall that it may be difficult to find an expert in this field, you should also consider undergoing an examination in a university hospital ENT department.

All the best, C. Welsch