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Myasthenia gravis and upper airway obstruction
1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, USA.
Chest
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Upper airway obstruction is a common but often overlooked cause of respiratory issues in myasthenia gravis patients. Flow volume loops can help identify this condition, improving diagnosis and management.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Myasthenia gravis (MG) typically causes respiratory impairment due to diaphragm and chest wall muscle weakness.
- Upper airway obstruction (UAO) is an uncommon cause of respiratory symptoms in MG, with limited case reports.
Observation:
- This study investigated the prevalence of UAO in MG patients using flow volume loops.
- A case of UAO presenting with respiratory symptoms in an MG patient was documented.
- Flow volume loops were reviewed for 61 MG patients; 12 underwent testing.
Findings:
- Seven out of 12 MG patients with available flow volume loops showed signs of extrathoracic UAO.
- For five of these seven patients, forced vital capacity (FVC) was 80% or higher.
- UAO appears significantly more prevalent in MG patients than previously thought.
Implications:
- Flow volume loops are recommended for evaluating respiratory impairment in MG patients.
- Identifying UAO can lead to better management strategies for respiratory symptoms in MG.
- This research highlights the importance of considering UAO in the differential diagnosis of respiratory distress in MG.