• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.86-96
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• 1996

The authors experienced 52 patients with myasthenia gravis who were diagnosed at the Department of Neurology, Yeungnarn University Hospital from August 1985 to January 1996. The following results were obtained through diagnostic evaluation and treatment. 1. The ratio of male to female was 1:1.7 and the most prevalent age group was second decade. 2. The most common initial presentation symptom was ocular(71.2%) and the peak incidence group was stage I (69.3%) according to the modified Osserman's classification. 3. In 16 patients(30.8%), it took more than a year to diagnose due to symptoms which were relapsed and remitting. 4. Of 52 patients, 2 cases were associated with thyroid disease(3.8%) and 2 with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus(3.8%). 5. All of those who received anticholinesterase and corticosteroid therapy were improved with the exception of 5 cases which were improved after thymectomy and/or plasmapheresis. 6. Spontaneous remission was occured in 2 cases(3.8%) of ocular myasthenia gravis. And 1 case of group II. was cured through thymectomy and long-term corticosteroid therapy.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.135-138
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• 2000

Both myasthenia gravis and Guillain-$Barr{\acute{e}}$ syndrome are autoimmune disorder, but it is very rare that both of them occur together. A 53-year old woman with history of myathenia gravis complained of weakness of extremities, worsening progressively for several days. Electrophysiologic study showed findings of motor axonal neuropathy without sensory involvement. She became improved in aspect of clinical symtoms and electrophysiologic findings after infusion of immunoglobulin. This is a case of Guillain-$Barr{\acute{e}}$ syndrome in a patient with myasthenia gravis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.146-151
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• 1990

Myasthenia gravis is a disorder of neuromuscular transmission characterized by weakness and fatigue of voluntary muscles. It is now reasonably established to be due to an autoimmune attack directed against the postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of voluntary muscles. Thymectomy has become increasingly important in the treatment of this disease after the successful case of Blalock in 1939. From January 1984 to December 1988, we performed total thymectomy in 25 cases of myasthenia gravis except one, and get the results as follows. l. Among 25 cases, male to female was 10:15 and the age was ranged from 16 years to 65 years. 2. Thymectomy was done in 24 cases and 1 case of malignant thymoma was not resectable. 3. There were 2 deaths after thymectomy due to myasthenic crisis. 4. There were 19 cases [76 %] of improvement after thymectomy as follows; complete remission was 6 cases [24 %], marked improvement was 9 cases [36 %] and subjective improvement was 4 cases [16 %]. 5. The effect of age, and duration of disease on operative result was not statistically significant, but that of thymic pathology was significant.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.851-856
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• 1995

Thymectomy has played a central role in the management of myasthenia gravis. Although both the etiology of myasthenia gravis and the reason for improvement after thymectomy remain incompletely explained, complete removal of the thymus is the logical goal of surgical treatment for this disease.From April 1989 to June 1994, maximal thymectomy was performed for 19 cases of myasthenia gravis at Chonnam National University Hospital. The results were as follows:1.Among the 19 cases, male-to-female ratio was 1:1.4, the age ranged 13 years to 71 years, and a diphasic presentation appeared with a peak in young females and a second peak in elderly males;2.Five cases were classified by modified Osserman`s classification as Group I and Group IIa and 14 cases as Group IIb and Group IIc; 3.Histologic examination of the excised thymus glands revealed normality in 5 cases [26% , thymic hyperplasia in 4 [21% , benign thymoma in 8 [42% , and malignant thymoma in 2 [11% ;4.There was no operative mortalities but two deaths occurred during the follow-up periods due to myasthenic crisis and other causes;5.The clinical improvement and the complete remission rates were 85% and 32%, respectively;6.The clinical improvement and the complete remission rates were not so good in patients with thymomas, beeing 70% and 20%, respectively; and 7.Young women with hyperplasia of the thymic tissue tended to show the best response to thymectomy.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2001

Background & Object : Myasthenia gravis(MG) is an autoimmune disease due to binding of antibody to acetylcholine receptors on the muscle membrane. It is well known that other autoimmune diseases infrequently accompany myasthenia gravis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of associated autoimmune diseases(AAD) and compare prognosis between MG with AAD and MG without AAD. Method : A total of 65 MG patients(24 men and 41 women) were enrolled at this study. From the clinical records of these patients, we investigated the clinical characteristics and prognosis of MG with AAD and compared these data with those of MG without other such diseases. Results : AAD were found in 10 of 65 cases(15%). 9 cases of 10 MG with AAD were generalized MG type. The most common disease was thyroid disorder. The rate of AAD was higher in thymic abnormal patients. There was no significant remission rate difference between MG with AAD and MG without AAD, but the percentage of patients experienced crisis was higher in MG with AAD. Conclusion : The occurrence of AAD may suggest a more generalized autoimmune disturbance that could be associated with a less favorable prognosis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.107-111
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• 2012

Three dogs (An 8 years-old intact female Poodle, a 7 years-old intact male Schunauzer, and an 8 yearsold Golden Retriever) were presented due to acute vomiting, dyspnea, and generalized weakness. Megaesophagus was confirmed through radiographic examination in all 3 dogs. Relative oesophageal diameter (ROD) was measured and results of ROD measurements showed the possibility of megaesophagus secondary to myasthenia gravis in three dogs. Thus we performed anticholinesterase test as screening test for myasthenia gravis. In all three dogs, esophageal diameter was reduced after neostigmine methylsulfate administration. For definite diagnosis of acquired myasthenia gravis, serum acetylcholine receptor antibody titer was measured, but definite diagnosis was confirmed only in one case. However, based on history, radiographic findings, anticholinesterase test, ROD measurement, other two cases were still suspected as megaesophagus secondary to myasthenia gravis. Treatment with pyridostigmine bromide was initiated in all dogs, and improvement of esophageal diameter was shown in all dogs. One dog was successfully managed for 15 months after initial treatment and, is still alive, but other two dogs were died shortly after initial treatment, because of severe aspiration pneumonia.

• Proceedings of the KSLP Conference
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• 1996.11a
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• pp.84-84
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• 1996

1986년 10월부터 1996년 8월까지 연세대학교 의과대학 영동세브란스병원 이비인후과에 내원한 환자로서 문진, 이학적검사 및 방사선학적검사에 의하여 양측성대마비로 진단된 47례를 대상으로 성별, 연령, 주증상, 성대마비의 원인 및 치료경과에 대하여 후향적으로 분석하였다. 성별은 남자가 34례(72%), 여자가 13례(28%)였고 연령별로는 20대에서 60대에 걸쳐 비교적 고르게 분포하였으며 평균연령은 46세였다. 주증상이 호흡곤란이었던 경우가 22례(47%)로 가장 많았고 애성이 19례(40%)로 그 다음 순이었다. 성대마비의 원인별로 보면, 중추성이 4례(9%)였고, 나머지는 말초성으로 이중 비수술적 외상에 의한 경우가 15례(32%)로 가장 많았고 수술적 외상이 10례(21%), 특발성이 9례(19%), 기도내 삽관이 5례(11%)였으며, 이외에도 염증성요인에 의한 것이 2례, 갑상선종양에 의한 것이 1례, 그리고 중증근무력증에 의한 것이 1례이었다. 양측성대마비에 대한 치료로서 기관절개술이 13례(28%), 피열연골절제술이 13례(28%)에서 행해졌으며 이중 술후 완전탈관이 가능하였던 경우는 기관절개술을 시행하였던 경우에 6례(46%), 피열연골절제술을 시행하였던 경우에 9례(69%)였고 수술후 완전탈관까지의 기간은 기관절개술의 경우 평균 18개월, 피열연골절제술의 경우 평균 3개월이었다. 이외 보존적 치료가 20례(43%)에서 행해졌으며 이중 2례는 자연치유되었다.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.56-65
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the effectiveness of Korean medical treatment on ptosis in myasthenia gravis. Methods : We treated the patient who had suffered from rt. ptosis and was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis with acupuncture, electropuncture, herbal acupuncture, cupping therapy, herbal medicines and western medicine such as corticosteroids and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated through Relative Interpalpebral Fissure(IPF) and photography. Results : After the treatments, relative Interpalpebral Fissure(IPF) was increased and improvement remained for three months after the treatment was finished. Conclusions : The result indicates that combination therapy of Korean medical treatment and western medicine had an effect on treatment of ptosis with myasthenia gravis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.5-17
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• 2000

To research the characteristics of ion currents induced by Bujaijung-tang and Bojungikgi-tang, nystatin-perforated patch clamp technique under voltage-c(amp condition was used. Periaqueductal gray neuron was dissociated from Sprauge-Dawley rat, 10-15 days old. Cytotoxicity of Bujaijung-tang and Bojungikgi-tang showed incubation time and concentration dependent manner. Ion current activated by Bujaijung-tang and Bojungikgi-tang were inhibited by bicuculline and strychnine and CNQX. It can be suggested that Bujaijung-tang and Bojungikgi-tang modulate inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters-, GABA, glycine and non-NMDA, acticvated ion channels. Modulatory effect of Bujaijung-tang and Bojungikgi-tang was more greater in inhibitory neurotransmitters. Low concentration of Bujaijung-tang which dose not elicit ion current itself, activated GABA and glycine induced chloride currents. In this study, we can found that the activation of Bujaijung-tang and Bojungikgi-tang on non-NMDA subtypes of glutamate receptor is its major action mechanism and can be used as very effective Herb treatment on Myasthenia gravis patient.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.454-461
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• 1988

Myasthenia gravis is a functional neuromuscular disorder with characteristic voluntary muscle weakness. The role of thymus in pathogenesis of this disorder has become apparent that thymectomy in treatment has gained acceptance. Between January 1976 and June 1987, twenty patients underwent thymectomy for myasthenia gravis at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine, Korea University. A clinical study that is focused on the factors affecting the operative results was analyzed and the following results were obtained. Among the 20 patients, male to female ratio was 8:12 and the age of onset was ranged from 3 years to 67 years. The chief complaints in order of frequency were as follows; ocular symptoms such as ptosis and diplopia[7 cases], general weakness[4 cases], swallowing difficulty[3 cases], dyspnea[3 cases], dysphasia[1 case], headache[1 case] and dizziness[1 case]. The severity of disease was classified by modified Osserman`s method that Group IIa was 8 cases, Group IIb; 7 cases, Group IIc; 3 cases and Group I; 2 cases. In histopathology of thymus, the most frequent finding was hyperplasia[11 cases] followed by thymoma[4 cases], normal tissue[3 cases] and malignant` thymoma[2 cases]. There were two cases of postoperative complications; one case was wound infection and the other was mediastinitis. One case of malignant thymoma died due to respiratory failure with pulmonary metastasis. There was 16 cases[80%] of improvement after thymectomy as follows; complete remission was 4 cases[20%], marked improvement was 9 cases[45%] and subjective improvement only was 3 cases[15%]. The effect of severity and duration of disease on operative result has statistically significant. The effect of thymus histopathology on operative result was not statistically significant. But there were comparable results between thymoma cases and non-thymoma cases.