Advanced

AJNR - American Journal of Neuroradiology

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Haller, S. Articles by Steck, A.J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Haller, S. Articles by Steck, A.J.

American Journal of Neuroradiology 27:1272-1274, June-July 2006
© 2006 American Society of Neuroradiology

Case Report
FUNCTIONAL

Prominent Activation of the Putamen during Essential Palatal Tremor: A Functional MR Imaging Case Study

S. Haller^a,b, D.T. Winkler^b, C. Gobbi^b, P. Lyrer^b, S.G. Wetzel^a and A.J. Steck^b

^a Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
^b Department of Neurology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland

Address correspondence to Sven Haller, MD, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Basel, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland

Summary: Palatal tremor (PT), also known as palatal myoclonus, is defined by short rhythmic contractions of the palatal musculature. Functional MR imaging (fMRI) revealed prominent bilateral neuronal activation in the putamen associated with essential palatal tremor (EPT) in a 41-year-old man. This implies a central role of the putamen in EPT, most likely as a consequence of diminished inhibition in an afferent pathway. Because fMRI primarily detects activations, dysfunctional areas remain obscure. The present functional study complements previous pathologic studies, which associated PT with lesions to dentate nucleus, red nucleus, and the inferior olive (Guillain-Mollaret triangle).