Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy as a cause of progression of weakness in antibody positive myasthenia gravis

Neuromuscul Disord. 2013 Apr;23(4):316-8. doi: 10.1016/j.nmd.2013.01.012. Epub 2013 Mar 1.

Abstract

Many neuromuscular conditions cause bulbar and limb weakness, and when several conditions coexist they present additional diagnostic challenges. Here we describe a case of a 45-year-old woman with antibody positive myasthenia gravis since age 16, who then develops treatment-resistant weakness due to genetically proven oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy. We conclude that the development of treatment-resistant weakness in myasthenia gravis should spur further work up for other neuromuscular disorders including oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Weakness / etiology*
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Oculopharyngeal / complications*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / complications*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / immunology
  • Receptors, Cholinergic / immunology

Substances

  • Receptors, Cholinergic