Myasthenia Gravis Flashcards
what is myasthenia gravis
autoimmune condition that causes muscle weakness that gets progressively worse with activity and improves with rest.
what does myasthenia gravis have a strong link with
Thymoma (tumour of the thymus gland)
antibodies involved in myasthenia gravis
acetylcholine receptor antibodies
MuSK
LRP4
pathophysiology of myasthenia gravis
auto-antibodies bind to post synaptic receptors and block signals
they also activate compliment system which further damages the receptors
presentation of myasthenia gravis
mild to severe disease
diplopia, ptosis and bulbar symptoms
how can you elicit signs of myasthenia gravis
repeatedly blink (ptosis)
ask them to look up and hold (ptosis and diplopia)
repeated abduction of the shoulder
what reading should you do to assess breathing for MG and GBS
FVC on spirometry
what can be done for diagnosis of MG
test for anti-bodies
CT/MRI of thymus
edrophonium test
what treatment can be used for myasthenia gravis
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
immunosuppression
thymectomy
MABs (rituximab)
name an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
pyridostigmine
what is a myasthenic crisis
sever, life threatening complication
often triggered by illness
risk of respiratory failure
how are myasthenic crisis managed
IV immunoglobulins
plasmapheresis
