Myasthenia gravis.
Myasthenia gravis is the prototype neuromuscular disease with immunological pathogenesis. The recognition and interpretation of the symptoms should be stressed as the diagnosis is initially achieved on clinical ground. Tests in the areas of immunology, electrophysiology and imaging further help the diagnosis, management and prognosis of the condition. The recent knowledge of immunology seems to point to variations in the immune abnormalities, but it remains to be seen whether the differences have clinical relevance. With the availability of intensive care units, the management of acute events in the myasthenic patients has improved considerably and the morbidity is reduced. Long term remissions are achievable in majority of patients, with supervised use of immunosuppression. In the modern times, the grave connotations of the name myasthenia gravis may be only rarely justified.
Khadilkar
S V
SV
Department of Neurology, Sir JJ Group of Hospitals and Grant Medical College, Mumbai 400 008.
Sahni
A O
AO
Patil
S G
SG
D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic