title: Enhanced ptosis in Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome.
abstract: A patient with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) presented with a bilateral ptosis that improved transiently after sustained upgaze. The contralateral ptosis became aggravated on manually lifting either eyelid with and without fixation (enhanced ptosis). Enhanced ptosis is a common finding in many patients with ptosis resulting from myasthenia gravis; however, to our knowledge, this is the first description of this sign in a patient with LEMS. The phenomenon of enhanced ptosis should be sought in all patients with ptosis. Improvement of the ptosis after sustained upward gaze suggests the diagnosis of LEMS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic-Jacksonville 32224, USA.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Brazis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001763:Blepharoptosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005143:Eyelids / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015624:Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome / Q000150:complications*