title: Thymectomy in late-onset myasthenia gravis.
abstract: Between 1977 and 1979, 12 consecutive patients with myasthenia gravis who were over the age of 55 years were treated by thymectomy. In all, their conditions improved clinically; 11 of the 12 became free of the generalized features of myasthenia gravis. Nine patients required no further medication. Acetylcholine-receptor antibody titers did not change significantly. Although five patients had atrophic thymus glands, their conditions also improved. We conclude that (1) thymectomy is a safe and effective therapy for patients with myasthenia gravis who are over the age of 55 years; (2) steroids and anticholinesterase agents are not essential in the management of late-onset myasthenia gravis; and (3) reduction in acetylcholine-receptor antibody titer is not essential for beneficial clinical response.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001284:Atrophy; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology; D013934:Thymectomy; D013945:Thymoma / Q000601:surgery; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000473:pathology; D013952:Thymus Hyperplasia / Q000601:surgery; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic