title: Autonomic dysfunction in Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome.
abstract: Autonomic symptoms were observed in 6 patients with clinically and electrophysiologically documented Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). Of the 6 patients, 2 were extensively investigated in the laboratory. In contrast to previous reports which recognized only cholinergic dysautonomia, abnormalities of sympathetic as well as parasympathetic function were evident. Of the 6 patients, 4 had small cell lung cancer (SCLC). In one male patient, chemotherapy for SCLC resulted in an early improvement of autonomic dysfunction and the electrophysiological defect, documenting simultaneous regression of dysautonomia and LEMS. In addition, the patients with SCLC and LEMS had a survival thus far of 3-13 years suggesting that a subgroup of SCLC patients have a better prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201.
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Khurana
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Koski
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Mayer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology