Rhythmic tongue thrusting: A useful clinical sign

We read with great interest the study by Saeedi et. al. on tongue protrusion dystonia(TPD) in pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration(PKAN)1. They also highlighted other important causes of TPD including tardive dystonia, post-hypoxic, neuroacanthocytosis, and Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Tongue thrusting has also been described in healthy infants where it occurs due to the immaturity of neuromuscular function of orofacial musculature2. However, rhythmic tongue thrusting and persistence beyond 6 months of age is abnormal and may serve as an early marker of dyskinetic cerebral palsy (CP)3.
Source: Pediatric Neurology - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research