Myasthenia gravis associated with a pelvic follicular lymphoma

BMJ Case Rep. 2022 Jan 13;15(1):e248011. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-248011.

Abstract

An 81-year-old woman presented with neck weakness, dysarthria, dysphasia and left-sided ptosis. Myasthenia gravis (MG) was strongly suspected. Voltage gated calcium channel (VGCC) antibodies, associated with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), were negative. Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody level was 536 nmol/L and diagnosis of MG was confirmed. Imaging revealed a pelvic mass and subsequent biopsy confirmed a pelvic follicular lymphoma. Our searches revealed this to be the first documented case of MG associated with a pelvic follicular lymphoma. She underwent radiotherapy to treat the lymphoma and received both pyridostigmine and immunosuppression to treat the MG. Her AChR antibody level decreased to 38 nmol/L and her MG symptoms resolved aside from head drop which is continuing to improve. Her lymphoma is now in remission. We have presented a case with a successful outcome, which highlights the importance of screening for lymphoma and thymoma in new presentations of MG.

Keywords: haematology (incl blood transfusion); neurology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Autoantibodies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome*
  • Lymphoma, Follicular* / complications
  • Lymphoma, Follicular* / diagnosis
  • Myasthenia Gravis* / complications
  • Myasthenia Gravis* / diagnosis
  • Thymus Neoplasms*

Substances

  • Autoantibodies