Juvenile myasthenia gravis and thymectomy: report of ten cases.
Ten patients from 7 to 12 years of age presented generalized acquired myasthenia gravis: six had a severe form and four a moderate one. All patients showed progressive worsening and poor response to the medical treatment; all of them were submitted to thymectomy by median sternotomy. Long-term results were beneficial for 60% of the patients who experimented a marked improvement or even complete remission. One patient improved without medication being followed for two years. Another patient has been in remission taking only a minimal dose of anticholinesterase drug for seven years. In most cases prednisone has been used as long-term maintenance in the postoperative phase. Short-term results were not favorable: one death occurred and 30% of the patients worsened.
de Assis
J L
JL
Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo Medical School.
Marchiori
P E
PE
Zambon
A A
AA
Scaff
M
M
D002648:Child; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012074:Remission Induction; D013934:Thymectomy
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D011241:Prednisone