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Myasthenia Gravis Presenting as Bulbar Palsy

Myasthenia gravis is a rare autoimmune condition that affects postsynaptic cholinergic receptors, resulting in symptoms of muscular fatigue. Clinical signs could be subtle and variable, often leading to many differentials. This leads to inappropriate tests being performed and a delay in diagnosis. A...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Gosain, Dhruv, Das, Tapas
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Cureus 2023
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10611170/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37900462
http://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.46082
Descripción
Sumario:Myasthenia gravis is a rare autoimmune condition that affects postsynaptic cholinergic receptors, resulting in symptoms of muscular fatigue. Clinical signs could be subtle and variable, often leading to many differentials. This leads to inappropriate tests being performed and a delay in diagnosis. Although ocular signs are more common, it may rarely present as bulbar palsy. Our patient, in her 30s, was referred to the emergency department after six months of symptom onset when she was discovered to be at a high risk of silent aspiration. Her presentation was predominantly bulbar palsy, but after appropriate tests, she was eventually diagnosed with generalized myasthenia gravis with a concurrent thymoma. Her treatment included pyridostigmine, corticosteroid, and immunoglobulins, while a thymectomy was scheduled as a planned procedure. Prompt diagnosis and timely management can reduce morbidity and mortality in such cases.