Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Myokymia
Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026
Myokymia: Continuous involuntary muscle twitchings that give the appearance of wormlike rippling of muscle. The muscle contractions are involuntary (spontaneous) and brief. Myokymia can occur in many situations, including cancer (lung, thymoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, hypernephroma), drugs (gold, penicillamine, mercury), and after nerve damage from radiation. The term myokymia was coined by F. Schultze in 1895 to describe continuous, slow, undulating muscular contractions in small muscles of hands and feet.