Myasthenia gravis in an adolescent patient presenting to the pediatric emergency department

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2010 May;26(5):374-5. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e3181db236f.

Abstract

Myasthenia gravis is a rare, chronic, autoimmune disorder characterized by postsynaptic dysfunction at the neuromuscular junction. The disease affects more females than males. We describe the case of a 17-year-old female adolescent with recurrent episodes of dysarthria and dysphagia and a history of aspiration pneumonia. A bedside edrophonium (Tensilon) test in our emergency department confirmed the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Edrophonium*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units, Pediatric*
  • Muscle Fatigue / drug effects
  • Muscle Strength / drug effects
  • Myasthenia Gravis / diagnosis*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / physiopathology
  • Point-of-Care Systems
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Edrophonium