Neuromuscular, Neurocutaneous, and spinal cord diseases Flashcards
What is pathophysiology of myasthenia gravis
Autoantibodies against nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at NMJ junction, fatigue through day, better with rest
What is the most common and most common initial symptoms, and what can it be limited to in elderly ppl for myasthenia gravis
Extraocular eye muscles, with ptosis, diplopia, and blurred vision
What goes weak and what is preserved in myasthenia gravis
Skeletal muscles weak, sensation and reflexes preserved
How are limb muscles affected in myasthenia gravis
Proximal and Asymmetric
Other symptoms of myasthenia gravis besides eye symptoms
Dysarthria, dysphagia, and generalized weakness
What is myasthenia crisis and what percent of patients does it occur in?
An exacerbation of myasthenia gravis with respiratory muscles affected, requiring intubation15%
Four diagnostic modalities of myasthenia gravis
- ) Acetylcholine antibody test - specific, 20% beat it
- ) EMG - shows decremental conduction of motor nerves
- ) Edrophonium test - acetylcholine esterase inhibitor, improves symptoms but not used
- ) CT to see if thymoma is present - 75% have abnormal histology, 15% have actual thymoma
Treatment for myasthenia gravis (Five things)
- ) AChE inhibitor - symptoms only - pyridostigmine
- ) Thymectomy - symptoms and remission, do even when there is no thymoma
- ) Immunosuppressive drugs - corticosteroids second line, azathioprine and cyclosporine third line
- ) Plasmapharesis - removes antibodies, last resort
- ) IV immunoglobulins - myasthenia crisis
What is the forced vital capacity indication for intubation for patients with myasthenia gravis
Less than 15ml/kg, unless crisis, in which case do not wait
Where are lambert-eaton’s autoantibodies directed towards
Presynaptic calcium channels
Difference between symptoms of myasthenia gravis and lambert eaton
Lambert Eaton - improves with stimulation, hyporeflexia
Myasthenia Gravis - diminishes with stimulation, reflexes preserved
What cancer is lambert-eaton associated with
Small cell lung cancer
Gene mutation and result of duchenne’s mulscular dystrophy
X-linked recessive - no dystrophin, no inflammation
Progression of muscular weakness in duchenne’s muscular dystrophy
Starts proximal and symmetric in children (pelvis girdle), progresses distally
Two distinguishing features of duchenne’s muscular dystrophy
- ) Gower’s maneuver - Patients use hands to get up
2. ) Enlarged calf muscles - first true hypertrophy, then pseudohypertrophy as fat replaces muscle
Final complications of duchenne’s muscular dystrophy
Wheelchair bound, respiratory failure, and death in third decade
What diagnostic lab is distinguished in duchenne’s, and what can you use to test for duchenne’s
Serum creatinine phosphokinase
Definitive: DNA testing
What is the treatment used for duchenne’s muscular dystrophy
Prednisone - 5 years and older with declining motor skills
Surgery - fixes scoliosis, once wheelchair bound