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Case 34 - Lambert–Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS)

from Disorders of the Neuromuscular Junction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  aN Invalid Date NaN

Jessica E. Hoogendijk
Affiliation:
University Medical Center Utrecht
Marianne de Visser
Affiliation:
Amsterdam University Medical Center
Pieter A. van Doorn
Affiliation:
Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam
Erik H. Niks
Affiliation:
Leiden University Medical Center
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Summary

A 33-year-old-woman who was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome several years ago noticed a ‘heavy feeling’ and progressive weakness of the upper legs over a period of four months. Climbing stairs became very difficult, and eventually she could no longer walk independently. She did not complain about weakness in her arms. There were no sensory complaints. During the past months, her voice had changed. Especially if she was tired, she would speak ‘like a drunk’. There were no complaints about double vision, drooping eyelids, or swallowing. There were no clear symptoms of autonomic dysfunction. She did not drink alcohol but had smoked at least a pack of cigarettes per day for over 10 years.

Type
Chapter
Information
Neuromuscular Disease
A Case-Based Approach
, pp. 165 - 167
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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References

Suggested Reading

Huijbers, MG, Marx, A, Plomp, JJ, et al. Advances in the understanding of disease mechanisms of autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorders. Lancet Neurol 2022;21(2):163175. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(21)00357-4. PMID: 35065039.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kesner, VG, Oh, SJ, Dimachkie, MM, Barohn, RJ. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. Neurol Clin 2018;36(2):379394. doi: 10.1016/j.ncl.2018.01.008. PMID: 29655456; PMCID: PMC6690495.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Titulaer, MJ, Lang, B, Verschuuren, JJ. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome: from clinical characteristics to therapeutic strategies. Lancet Neurol 2011;10(12):10981107. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(11)70245-9. PMID: 22094130.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Titulaer, MJ, Maddison, P, Sont, JK, et al. Clinical Dutch-English Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) tumor association prediction score accurately predicts small-cell lung cancer in the LEMS. J Clin Oncol 2011;29(7):902908. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2010.32.0440. Epub 2011 Jan 18. PMID: 21245427.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Verschuuren, JJ, Palace, J, Murai, H, et al. Advances and ongoing research in the treatment of autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorders. Lancet Neurol 2022;21(2):189202. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(21)00463-4. Erratum in: Lancet Neurol. 2022 Mar;21(3):e3. PMID: 35065041.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed

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