Myasthenia gravis associated with small-cell carcinoma of the lung

Chest. 1994 Feb;105(2):624-5. doi: 10.1378/chest.105.2.624.

Abstract

A 49-year-old man complained of a 3-month history of progressive generalized muscle weakness. He was diagnosed as having small-cell lung carcinoma at the same time. He received an intravenous injection of edrophonium chloride with remarkable improvement of muscle strength. Electromyographic studies revealed a compound muscle action potential that decreased after repetitive stimulation. These findings were considered representative of myasthenia gravis (MG), and inconsistent with Eaton-Lambert syndrome. The appearance of MG with small-cell lung carcinoma seems to be very rare, but possible.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / complications*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myasthenia Gravis / complications*