[A case of the Lambert-Eaton syndrome of non-neoplastic origin. Ten-year follow-up].
A case is presented of a 34-year-old man who developed weakness of the proximal muscles of the extremities, particularly lower, slight myalgia, and vegetative symptoms (dryness in the mouth). Those symptoms progressed within a month. On examination weakness of the muscles of the extremities was found as well as weak tendon reflexes, slight atrophy of muscles of the arms and thighs and apokamnosis. Edrophonium test was slightly positive. Electrostimulation revealed changes typical of the Lambert-Eaton syndrome: low amplitude of the compound muscle action potential on single stimulus, decreasing amplitude of the subsequent responses to 3 Hz stimulation, marked facilitation on 30 Hz stimulation. Neoplastic etiology was excluded by chest X-ray and CT, as well as by bronchoscopy, abdominal and prostatic USG, and thyroid USG and scintigraphy. Antibodies to AChR were not found in the serum. The titre of the antibodies against voltage-gated calcium channels was highly positive which was decisive in the diagnosing of the Lambert-Eaton syndrome. The patient was treated with pyridostigmine, corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide and immunoglobulins. Ten years of follow-up have fully confirmed the diagnosis of a non-neoplastic Lambert-Eaton syndrome.
Emeryk-Szajewska
Barbara
B
Katedra i Klinika Neurologii Akademia Medyczna w Warszawie, Warszawa. szajewsk@waw.pdi.net
Strugalska-Cynowska
Halina
H
Zakrzewska-Pniewska
Beata
B
Szyluk
Beata
B
Kostera-Pruszczyk
Anna
A
D000328:Adult; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015624:Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis