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Myasthenia gravis presenting during general anaesthesia for oesophagoscopy – a cautionary tale

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Andrew J. Prior  and
Andrew R. Swanston
Andrew J. Prior*
Affiliation:
Department of ENT Surgery, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London.
Andrew R. Swanston
Affiliation:
Department of ENT Surgery, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London.
*
Mr A. J. Prior,Department of ENT Surgery,St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE.
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Abstract

We report myasthenia gravis presenting as dysphagia of acute onset in a 56-year-old female who had no other stigmata of the disease and who was generally well despite rheumatoid arthritis and hypothyroidism. She recovered respiratory function following a general anaesthetic for oesophagoscopy only when antimyasthenic treatment was instituted. She remains well to date. In patients who are known to have autoimmune diseases and who present with dysphagia, features of myasthenia gravis should be specifically sought.

Keywords

Myasthenia gravisAnaesthesiageneralcomplications
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 108 , Issue 7 , July 1994 , pp. 599 - 600
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1994

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