Clinical utility of videofluorography with concomitant Tensilon administration in the diagnosis of bulbar myasthenia gravis.
Myasthenia gravis (MG) classically presents with ocular, bulbar, and predominantly proximal muscle weakness. Isolated bulbar symptoms occur in less than 25% of cases and can mimic stroke (1-3). If left untreated, MG can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, including myasthenic crisis and recurrent aspiration pneumonia. We describe a case of a 68-year-old man who presented with isolated bulbar symptoms. We used a novel approach to diagnosis which included a videofluorographic swallow study with concomitant Tensilon (edrophonium) injection.
Schwartz
Darren C
DC
Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Waclawik
Andrew J
AJ
Ringwala
Sumit N
SN
Robbins
Joanne
J
D000200:Action Potentials; D000368:Aged; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D004491:Edrophonium; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014741:Video Recording
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D004491:Edrophonium