Myasthenia Gravis

Question 1

What is the problem in myasthenia gravis?

Answer 1

autoantibodies are produced against nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Question 2

How does Myasthenia Gravis present?

Answer 2

increasing muscle fatigue

Question 3

which muscle groups are most commonly affected in myasthenia Gravis?

Answer 3

extra-ocular, bulbar (chewing swallowing), face, neck

Question 4

How could you test (clinically) for myasthenia Gravis?

Answer 4

ask the patient to count to 50 and see if the voice deteriorates

Question 5

How can myasthenia gravis be tested (for Dx)?

Answer 5

Tensilon test
anti-AChr antibodies
CT thymus

Question 6

What is the Tensilon test?

Answer 6

Used in Myasthenia Gravis
have 2 syringes 1 saline and 1 - edrophonium
ask indepentant tester to assess power after each injection. test is positive if power improves in 1 min

Question 7

How is myasthenia gravis treated?

Answer 7

symptomatic - anticholesterase
immunosupression
thymectomy

Question 8

What emergency can areise in Myasthenia Gravis?

Answer 8

myasthenia crisis where the respiratory muscles start to fail

Question 9

If a patient presents with loss of gait before loss extra-occular muscle weakness then what is the diagnosis?

Answer 9

lamert-eaton - myasthenic syndome - paraneoplastic syndrome in SCLC