Myasthenia gravis: diagnosis and treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To provide information about myasthenia gravis (MG), including pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, treatments, diagnostic work up, patient teaching, and diagnostic algorithms for ptosis and weakness related to MG.


METHODS
Clinical and research journal articles, medical textbooks, and a patient with MG.


CONCLUSIONS
Myasthenia Gravis is a very complex disease with many different signs and symptoms, which may be quite noticeable or vague. The presenting symptoms of ptosis and/or diplopia should cause the clinician to consider a work-up for MG.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the low incidence MG (1 in 10,000) has in the U.S., a delay in diagnosis of one to two years is not uncommon. It is vital to diagnose this disease and begin treatment as soon as possible to decrease the signs and symptoms.
Armstrong
Shannon Mortensen
SM
Valley Hospital, Spokane, WA, USA. skmort@hotmail.com
Schumann
Lorna
L
D006801:Humans; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*