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Brain stem lesion mimicking myasthenia gravis
Omer F Akkaya1, Hüseyin A Sahin, Alparslan Senel
1Department of Neurology, Ondokuz Mayis University Medical Faculty, 55139 Kurupelit-Samsun, Turkey. oakkaya@omu.edu.tr
Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
|April 13, 2005
Summary
Brain stem masses can imitate Myasthenia gravis (MG) symptoms and electrophysiological findings. Surgical removal of a brain stem mass resolved MG-like symptoms and abnormal nerve stimulation responses in a patient.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Brain stem masses can present with symptoms mimicking neurological disorders.
- Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder affecting neuromuscular junctions.
Observation:
- A 38-year-old female patient exhibited clinical and electrophysiological signs suggestive of Myasthenia gravis.
- Repetitive nerve stimulation revealed a decremental response, a hallmark of neuromuscular junction transmission defects.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with a brain stem mass.
- Post-surgical removal of the brain stem mass led to the resolution of her MG-like symptoms.
- Follow-up electrophysiological testing showed normal nerve stimulation responses.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering brain stem masses in the differential diagnosis of Myasthenia gravis.
- Surgical intervention for brain stem masses can effectively reverse associated neurological deficits.
- Accurate diagnosis and timely surgical management are crucial for favorable outcomes.