Browse > Article

A Case of Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome with Positive VGCC Antibodies Diagnosed in Small Cell Lung Cancer  

Kim, So Young (Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine Wonkwang University)
Oh, Hyo Jeong (Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine Wonkwang University)
Hwang, Ki Eun (Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine Wonkwang University)
Jung, Jong Hoon (Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine Wonkwang University)
Kim, Hak Ryul (Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine Wonkwang University)
Yang, Sei Hoon (Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine Wonkwang University)
Cho, Kwang Ho (Department of Neurology, College of Medicine Wonkwang University)
Jeong, Eun Taik (Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine Wonkwang University)
Publication Information
Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases / v.59, no.4, 2005 , pp. 427-431 More about this Journal
Abstract
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), a rare autoimmune neurological syndrome, is caused by defects in the secretion of acetylcholine from the presynaptic membrane, and is associated with the destruction of voltage gated calcium channels (VGCC) in the neuromuscular junction. LEMS can be confirmed by repetitive nerve stimulation and by the clinical symptoms, which are characterized by proximal muscle weakness in the lower extremities, decreased deep tendon reflexes and autonomic dysfunctions. In about 60% of patients with this disorder, underlying cancer-small cell lung cancer may be detected. Clinical symptoms may precede the diagnosis of malignancy, with the early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying malignancy being possible through the diagnosis of LEMS. A case of LEMS, with positive VGCC antibodies, in a 48-year-old man, which improved after chemotherapy of the underlying small cell lung cancer, is reported.
Keywords
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome; Small cell lung cancer;
Citations & Related Records

Times Cited By SCOPUS : 0
연도 인용수 순위
  • Reference
1 Lin JT, Lachmann E. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome: a case report and review of the literature. J Womens Health 2002;11:849-55   DOI   ScienceOn
2 O'Neill JH, Murray NM, Newsom-Davis J. The Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome: a review of 50 cases. Brain 1988;111:577-96   DOI   ScienceOn
3 Lee JH, Shin JH, Kim DS, Jung DS, Park KH, Lee MK, et al. A case of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome associated with atypical bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumor. J Korean Med Sci 2004;19:753-5   DOI   ScienceOn
4 Cherington M. Guanidine and germine in Eaton- Lambert syndrome. Neurology 1976;26:944-6   DOI
5 Jenkyn LR, Brooks PL, Forcier RJ, Maurer LH, Ochoa J. Remission of the Lambert-Eaton syndrome and small cell anaplastic carcinoma of the lung induced by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Cancer 1980;46: 1123-7   DOI   PUBMED   ScienceOn
6 McEvoy KM, Windebank AJ, Daube JR, Low PA. 3,4- Diaminopyridine in the treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. N Engl J Med 1989;321:1567- 71   DOI   ScienceOn
7 Hwang YM, Sunwoo IN, Sun IJ. A case of Lambert- Eaton myasthenic syndrome. J Korean Neurol Assoc 1987;5:243-8
8 Newsom-Davis J, Murray NM. Plasma exchange and immunosuppressive drug treatment in the Lambert- Eaton myasthenic syndrome. Neurology 1984;34:480-5   DOI
9 Moon JS, Sunwoo IN, Kim SM, Lee SA, Cho KH, Park KD, et al. Clinical analysis of 12 Korean Lambert- Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) patients. Yonsei Med J 1999;40:454-9
10 O SJ, Kim KW. Guanidine hydrocholride in the Eaton-Lambert syndrome: electorophysiologic improvement. Neurology 1973;23:1084-90   DOI
11 Hong SJ, Chang CC. Inhibiton of acetylcholine release from mouse motor nerve by a P-type calcium channel blocker omega-agatoxin IVA. J Physiol 1995; 482:283-90
12 Takamori M, Maruta T, Komai K. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome as an autoimmune calcium channelopathy. Neurosci Res 2000;36:183-91   DOI   ScienceOn
13 Lambert EH, Eaton LM, Rooke ED. Defect of neuromuscular conduction associated with malignant neoplasms. Am J Physiol 1956;187:612-3
14 McEvoy KM. Diagnosis and treatment of Lambert- Eaton myasthenic syndrome. Neurol Clin 1994;12: 387-99
15 Waterman SA. Role of N-, P- and Q- type voltagegated calcium channels in transmitter release from sympathetic neurones in the mouse isolated vas deferens. Br J Pharmacol 1997;120:393-8   DOI   PUBMED   ScienceOn
16 Lee KH, Jeong MK, Hyun MS, Jeong JC, Lee HY, Ha JS, et al. Eaton-Lambert syndrome with small cell lung cancer. Yeungnam Univ J Med 1989;6:171-8
17 Chalk CH, Murray NM, Newsom-Davis J, O'Neill JH, Spiro SG. Response of the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome to treatment of associated small cell lung carcinoma. Neurology 1990;40:1552-6   DOI
18 Zambelis T, Foutsitzi A, Giannakopoulou A, Poulopoulou K, Karandreas N. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome: clinical and electrophysiological findings in seven cases. Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol 2004;44: 289-92
19 Park SH, Choi SA, Yu TH, Kim GD, Kim SK, Chang J, et al. A case of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome improved after surgical resection for diagnosis of small cell carcinoma of the lung. Tuberc Respir Dis 1998;45:596-603
20 Hawley RJ, Cohen MH, Saini N, Armbrustmacher VW. The carcinomatous neuromyopathy of oat cell lung cancer. Ann Neurol 1980;7:65-72   DOI   ScienceOn