Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome

Myoclonus is an involuntary muscle twitching and jerking movement. There are different types of myoclonus disorders of which opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome is one. This is a very rare neurological disorder that affects just 1 person in 10, 000, 000 people/year. This condition was first studied and described by Marcel Kinshourne in 1962. The opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome is known by other names that include:

• Dancing Eyes-Dancing Feet syndrome
• Dancing Eyes syndrome
• Kinsbourne syndrome
• Myoclonic Encephalopathy of Infants
• Opsoclonus-Myoclonus-Ataxia (OMA)
• Paraneoplastic Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Ataxia (POMA)

In the following paragraphs, we shall go into the details of opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome symptoms and understand the progress of this disorder.

What is Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome
The other names of opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome describe the manifestation of this disorder. The name opsoclonus means jiggling eye movement or nystagmus and myoclonus means muscle jerk. It is an autoimmune disorder with unknown causes. The body's antibodies respond to a virus or tumor called neuroblastoma. While doing so, they begin to attack the brain cells as well. This damages the brain neurons thus leading to opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome symptoms.

The opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome in children generally occurs due to a neuroblastoma or ganglioneuroblastoma. Other causes include viral infection caused by Epstein-Barr virus, Coxsackie, encephalitis, etc. However, either of the causes can trigger autoimmune diseases in both children and adults that lead to opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome. The opsoclonus myocolnus syndrome in adults can occur due to a tumor in the lung or gynecological cancer. Opsoclonus and myoclonus are basically two separate disorders that can occur together. Researchers have still not understood, how a tumor or viral infection can trigger brain malfunction. Thus, the exact cause remains unknown.

Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome in Children
Opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome is more commonly seen in infants and children. 2 to 3% toddlers with neuroblastoma develop this syndrome. The symptoms in children include:

• Rapid, involuntary, horizontal as well as vertical, conjugate eye movements at regular intervals.
• Involuntary muscle twitching involving one or group of muscles
• Truncal and appendicular cerebellar ataxia.
• Dysphasia
• Inability to speak or mutism.
• Drooling
• Strabismus, a condition where the eyes are not aligned.
• Vomiting
• Sleep disturbances

As you can see, these children suffer from involuntary jerks that make the muscles appear to be dancing. Thus, the name dancing eyes and dancing feet for opsoclonus was coined. The child becomes nervous, irritable and lethargic due to this disorder. The condition worsens when the child is agitated. Opsoclonus causes the eyes to move in any direction rapidly when open or closed. In severe cases, the child loses the ability to feed himself or play. The rapid eye movement causes them to have vision problems and loss of muscle control makes them irritated. This condition also causes sitting and standing very difficult for the patient.

Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome Treatment
The treatment has no definitive cure. There are several medications that help in treating this condition. Medications used to treat opsoclonus myoclonus include corticosteroids like prednisone, Intravenous Immunoglobulins (IVIg), immunosuppressive drugs like cyclophosphamide, etc. In some cases, chemotherapy is required to treat neuroblastoma. It has been reported that opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome in adults requires no treatment and the condition resolves itself in 6 to 8 weeks.

Opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome in adults as well as children shows good prognosis only in those who suffer from the mildest symptoms. Severe symptoms causes loss of coordination, brain injury, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. Children may suffer from permanent brain damage leading to mental as well as physical disabilities. The condition has long-lasting effects in children. For more information, speak to an expert medical caregiver for details.

Disclaimer
The information in this article is intended as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, the expert and professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a healthcare professional. The reader is advised to consult a medical consultant before taking any home remedies, supplements or following any treatment advised. A medical consultant will be able to provide the reader with advice that is safe and effective for an individual's specific needs and diagnose a particular health problem based on their personal medical history.