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Electroconvulsive therapy in myasthenia gravis.
Chadi A Calarge1, Raymond R Crowe
1The University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Iowa city, Iowa 52242-1057, USA. chadi-calarge@uiowa.edu
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe option for treating severe psychiatric complications in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) when other treatments fail. Careful precautions ensure safe administration of ECT with muscle relaxants in MG patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disorder.
- MG can present with severe psychiatric complications.
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in MG patients poses unique challenges.
Observation:
- A case of MG with steroid-induced major depressive episode and psychotic features was treated with ECT.
- Literature review on ECT safety in MG patients was conducted.
Findings:
- ECT is a viable treatment for psychiatric complications in MG unresponsive to psychotropic medications.
- ECT with muscle relaxants can be safely administered in MG patients.
Implications:
- ECT offers a therapeutic alternative for refractory psychiatric symptoms in MG.
- Adherence to specific precautions is crucial for safe ECT application in MG.
- This approach may improve patient outcomes in complex MG cases.