Hiccup-like segmental myoclonus in thoracic compressive myelopathy: a case report.
METHODS
A case report.


OBJECTIVE
This study discusses a case of spinal segmental myoclonus caused by thoracic myelopathy, mimicking hiccup spasms. Spinal myoclonus caused by thoracic myelopathy is extremely rare. It can be misdiagnosed as chronic intractable hiccups due to similar clinical manifestations.


METHODS
Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.


METHODS
A 42-year-old man presented with a history of involuntary jerky movement of the upper abdominal wall muscles that had been continuing for over 3 years. A neurological examination, brain computed tomography and electroencephalogram did not reveal a cause of the symptoms. Electromyography was performed on the abdominal muscles and the findings revealed were compatible with spinal myoclonus. The spinal myoclonus had started in the abdominal muscles, with a spinal magnetic resonance imaging revealing a disc protrusion compressing the anterior spinal cord.


RESULTS
The cause of the spinal myoclonus was determined to be spinal myelopathy due to mild T7 disc protrusion. The patient refused surgical or invasive interventions and was conservatively treated with clonazepam. The symptoms were reported to be less frequent following the treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Compressive myelopathy developed from disc protrusion may cause spinal myoclonus mimicking as hiccup spasms.
Department of Neurology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
C-N
CN
Lee
Department of Neurology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
S-H
SH
Baek
Department of Neurology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
K-W
KW
Park
Department of Neurology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
B-J
BJ
Kim
D000328:Adult; D006606:Hiccup / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*