title: Myasthenia gravis: myasthenia vs. cholinergic crisis.
abstract: A serious complication of myasthenia gravis is respiratory failure. This may be secondary to an exacerbation of myasthenia (myasthenia crisis) or to treatment with excess doses of a cholinesterase inhibitor (cholinergic crisis). Managing respiratory failure and differentiating a myasthenia from a cholinergic crisis is reviewed. Due to the unpredictable development of respiratory failure, hospitalization is recommended for most patients with exacerbations or complications of myasthenia gravis.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
authors.forename: Kelly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hetherington
authors.forename: Joseph D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Losek
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004635:Emergency Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D000109:Acetylcholine