[Myasthenia gravis. Clinical and therapeutic evaluation of 55 cases]

It is reported the study of 55 myasthenia gravis cases, with a review of the symptoms and signals, comparing initial symptoms ant those found at the time of the first evaluation. The mean age of the patients was 31.05 +/- 18.46 and the mean time of follow-up 5.88 +/- 5.47 years. Also the results of the diagnostic tests is reported, as well as the results of the treatment. The patients were treated with anticholinesterasics, corticosteroids, azathioprine, plasma-exchange and thymectomy. A statistical analysis with the chi-square test was unable to show a difference between the above procedures, regarding the definitive resolution of the disease. From the 55 cases, 9 (16.6%) had total remission, 41 (74.5%) remained with symptoms and need some kind of treatment, and 5 (9.09%) died (three patients with thymoma, one patient with congenital myasthenia gravis, severe kyphoscoliosis and pulmonary restriction, and one patient during the thymectomy procedure). It was found a relation between the signs of respiratory insufficiency, myasthenic crisis and thymoma only in the group of patients who died. A review about the diagnostic methods and treatment in the current days is made.