Long remission in muscle-specific kinase antibody-positive juvenile myasthenia

Pediatr Neurol. 2009 Jun;40(6):455-6. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2008.11.014.

Abstract

The clinical course of anti-muscle specific kinase-positive myasthenia in children has been little reported. Described here is the case of an 8 year-old boy who presented with ptosis and generalized weakness, which resolved within 1 month without any immunomodulatory treatment. This spontaneous remission lasted 6 years and was then followed by a relapse with bulbar symptoms. The patient was put on plasmapheresis; after initial benefit, symptoms worsened and serum antibody levels persisted. This case constitutes an example of the variability of the clinical presentation, course, and therapeutic response in anti-muscle specific kinase-positive myasthenia in childhood.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies / blood*
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myasthenia Gravis / blood*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / immunology*
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / immunology*
  • Receptors, Cholinergic / immunology*
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Receptors, Cholinergic
  • MUSK protein, human
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases