Myasthenia gravis masquerading as post-poliomyelitis syndrome.
A 79-year-old man with previous bulbar poliomyelitis developed dysphagia and was diagnosed as having post-polio syndrome. Over 2 years, his swallowing deteriorated and he suffered an aspiration pneumonia. Only after the subsequent development of fatigue and facial weakness was myasthenia gravis diagnosed. Diagnostic criteria for post-polio syndrome include the exclusion of all other neurological conditions such as myasthenia gravis. Moreover, in any instance where a patient develops new symptoms, it is advisable to reconsider the original diagnosis.
Rehabilitation Medicine Unit, Astley Ainslie Hospital, Edinburgh, UK. rajiv.singh@lpct.scot.nhs.uk
Rajiv
R
Singh
Brian
B
Pentland
D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*