Early and late results after thymectomy in myasthenia gravis: a retrospective study [correction of analysis].
BACKGROUND
This study aims to evaluate the early and late outcome of patients treated by surgery for myasthenia gravis and the diagnostic value of the Besinger Score, which is based on a correlation of severity of symptoms with specific antibodies to acetylcholine receptors, in the follow-up investigation after surgical therapy.


METHODS
Between June 1984 and April 1992 thoracotomy was performed in 51 myasthenia gravis cases at our department. The retrospective analysis considered patients with (n = 13) or without thymoma (n = 38). The Besinger score was used to describe the severity of disease preoperatively and up to 5 years postoperatively.


RESULTS
The Besinger score fell continually post surgery. Changes in relative serum concentrations of antibodies were similar to the Besinger score. Five years after thymectomy complete remission was diagnosed in 40% of the patients. The required dosage of pyridostigmine had fallen by two thirds after 5 years. Patients with follicular hyperplasia had significantly higher remission rates than those with thymoma.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgery for myasthenia gravis is successful. The Besinger score well quantifies the severity of the disease.
Klein
M
M
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heinrich-Heine Universität, Dusseldorf, Germany.
Heidenreich
F
F
Madjlessi
F
F
Granetzny
A
A
Dauben
H P
HP
Schulte
H D
HD
Gams
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013934:Thymectomy; D013945:Thymoma / Q000473:pathology; D013952:Thymus Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011729:Pyridostigmine Bromide