The thymus and myasthenia gravis.
The relationship between the thymus and the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis is reviewed. Ten cases of myasthenia gravis who underwent thymectomy at the American University Hospital of Beirut are presented. The various pathologic features of the thymus encountered in myasthenia gravis are presented. The indications for thymectomy and the results of surgical intervention on the course of the disease are reviewed. The conclusion is made that thymectomy should be done on all patients with generalized myasthenia gravis irrespective of age, sex, duration of disease or pathological features of the thymus.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013934:Thymectomy; D013945:Thymoma / Q000473:pathology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000473:pathology; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology