Speech-Induced Myoclonus-Dystonia Mimicking Stuttering and Responding to Zonisamide.

We present the case of a child with myoclonus-dystonia (MD) who was mistaken for having stuttering and responded to oral zonisamide therapy. An 11-year-old boy presented with a 3-month history of speech-induced myoclonus, dystonia, and speech disfluency, with a positive family history in his father. A final diagnosis of MD was made, and the child responded to zonisamide. MD is a treatable form of neurogenic stuttering. It may mimic stuttering, and detailed analysis of the phenomenology and the evaluation of family history may help establish the diagnosis. A trial of zonisamide may be considered in the treatment of this disabling condition.