Myasthenia Gravis + Neurofibromatosis Flashcards
Myasthenia gravis (MG) pathology
Autoimmune
Antibodies against nicotinic ACh receptors
Interferes with neuromuscular transmission
Presentation of MG
Increasing muscular fatigue
Reflexes normal
Ptosis
Muscle groups affected in MG in order
Extra-ocular
Bulbar (swallowing, chewing)
Face
Neck
Limb girdle
Trunk
Factors which worsen muscle weakness in MG
Pregnancy
Low K
Infection
Exercise
Gentamicin
Beta blockers
Associations of MG if age under 50 yrs
F
Other autoimmune
Thymic hyperplasia
Associations of MG if age > 50 yrs
M
Thymic atrophy / tumour
Rheumatoid
SLE
Ix for MG
Anti-AChR antibodies
MUSK antibodies
Neurophysiology
MUSK antibodies
Muscle specific tyrosine kinase
MG findings in neurophysiology
Decreasing muscle response to repetitive nerve stimulation
Mx of MG
Symptom control
Immunosuppression
Thymectomy
Sx control for MG
Pyridostigmine
(Anticholinesterase)
Immunosuppression for MG
Prednisolone
+/- azathioprine / methotrexate
Use of immunosuppression for MG
Relapses
When to consider thymectomy for MG
Onset < 50 yrs
Thymoma
Cholinergic SEs
Hypersalivation
Lacrimation
Sweats
Vomiting
Miosis
Prognosis of MG
Relapsing or slow progression
Myasthenic crisis
Respiratory muscle weakness in relapse
Life threatening
Mx of myasthenic crisis
Plasmapheresis or IV Ig
Rx trigger (eg. infection, drugs)
Plasmapheresis
Filter blood
Removes antibodies from plasma