Research Article

Clinical and neurophysiological characterization of myoclonus in complex regional pain syndrome

  1. Alexander G. Munts MD1,
  2. Anne-Fleur Van Rootselaar MD, PhD2,
  3. Johan N. Van Der Meer MSc2,
  4. Johannes H.T.M. Koelman MD, PhD2,
  5. Jacobus J. Van Hilten MD, PhD1,
  6. Marina A.J. Tijssen MD, PhD2,*

Article first published online: 28 DEC 2007

DOI: 10.1002/mds.21910

Issue

Movement Disorders

Movement Disorders

Volume 23, Issue 4, pages 581–587, 15 March 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Munts, A. G., Van Rootselaar, A.-F., Van Der Meer, J. N., Koelman, J. H., Van Hilten, J. J. and Tijssen, M. A. (2008), Clinical and neurophysiological characterization of myoclonus in complex regional pain syndrome. Movement Disorders, 23: 581–587. doi: 10.1002/mds.21910

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

  2. 2

    Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

*Department of Neurology H2-222, Academic Medical Center, PO box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 26 MAR 2008
  2. Article first published online: 28 DEC 2007
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 19 NOV 2007
  4. Manuscript Revised: 15 NOV 2007
  5. Manuscript Received: 25 JUL 2007

Funded by

  • Dutch Government. Grant Number: BSIK03016
  • NWO VIDI. Grant Number: project 016.056.333

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article with Supporting Information (HTML) Get PDF (129K)

Keywords:

  • complex regional pain syndrome;
  • myoclonus;
  • tremor;
  • electrophysiology;
  • coherence analysis.

Abstract

The origin of myoclonus in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is unknown. Eight patients with CRPS related myoclonus were clinically evaluated and studied with intermuscular and corticomuscular coherence analysis. Jerks were present at rest, aggravated during action and were frequently associated with tremulousness or dystonia. Electromyography demonstrated a burst duration ranging from 25 to 240 ms with burst frequencies varying from <1 jerk/s during rest to 20 Hz during action. Coherence studies showed increased intermuscular coherence in 4 patients in the 6 to 12 Hz band, as reported in patients with enhanced physiological tremor. In 2 patients side-to-side coherence was observed, pointing to a central oscillatory drive. Significant coherence entrainment was detected in 5 patients. We conclude that the characteristics of myoclonus in CRPS are different from other forms of myoclonus. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society

View Full Article with Supporting Information (HTML) Get PDF (129K)