A case of thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis accompanied with myositis showing the clusters of histiocyte along the fascicles in perimysium

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2023 Jun:229:107715. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2023.107715. Epub 2023 Apr 11.

Abstract

Patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) often have other autoimmune disorders. However, the coexistence of MG and myositis is rare. Here, we report a case of a 77-year-old woman who developed mild fatigable muscle weakness and diplopia in 3 months. Serum creatine kinase was elevated to 1385 IU/L. Antibodies to acetylcholine receptor (AChR), titin and voltage-gated potassium channel 1.4 (Kv 1.4) were all positive while all tested myositis-specific autoantibodies were negative. Standard needle electromyography showed fibrillation potential and early recruitment of motor units. The repetitive nerve stimulations were consistent with a disorder of the neuromuscular junction. Muscle biopsy showed that the clusters of histiocyte were present along the fascicles in perimysium and some of them invaded into endomysium.

Keywords: Histiocyte; Myasthenia gravis; Myositis; Thymoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Autoantibodies
  • Female
  • Histiocytes
  • Humans
  • Myasthenia Gravis*
  • Myositis*
  • Thymoma* / complications
  • Thymus Neoplasms* / complications

Substances

  • Autoantibodies