SEGMENTAL MYOCLONUS IN A CHILD WITH SPINAL-CORD TUMOR

Segmental spinal myoclonus (SSM) involving a child's lower limb reveal ed the presence of a spinal cord tumour from T8 to T12. The clinical a nd electrophysiological features of SSM during the child's development were studied. The presence of this disorder at two months of age did not disturb the development of walking, but did lead to orthopaedic co mplications. Four electromyographic recordings performed between 23 mo nths and 7 years 10 months of age revealed the topographical extension of the SSM, its passage to rhythmicity, variable frequency and change in the sequence of activation of the muscles. These electroclinical f eatures enable discussion of the pathophysiology of SSM by reference t o neonatal motor automatisms and spinal generators.