A rare association of myasthenia gravis and mitochondrial myopathy: a clinical, biochemical and morphologic study of one case

J Submicrosc Cytol Pathol. 1997 Jul;29(3):335-8.

Abstract

Myasthenia gravis and mitochondrial myopathy may present with similar clinical symptoms as inconstant palpebral ptosis, ophthalmoparesis, and muscle weakness. A few case initially diagnosed as myasthenia gravis by a positive decremental response on EMG and successful anticholinesterase therapy revealed to be affected by mitochondrial disease. We report a new case initially found to be affected by myasthenia gravis in whom muscle biopsy, performed because of symptom worsening, disclosed a mitochondrial myopathy. It is not clear if the association of mitochondrial myopathy and myasthenia gravis is coincidental or if there is a pathogenic link between the two pathologies. We suggest that muscle biopsy should be performed in cases with atypical myasthenia gravis signs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Electron Transport
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondria / pathology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / ultrastructure*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / metabolism
  • Myasthenia Gravis / pathology*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / physiopathology