Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a long-term neuromuscular disease that leads to varying degrees of skeletal muscle weakness and the most commonly affected muscles are those of the eyes, face, swallowing, breathing and limb muscles.
History, Clinical examination, blood tests for specific antibodies, the edrophonium test and RNS confirms the diagnosis.
CT thorax is needed to rule out thymoma/ thymus hyperplasia.
Myasthenia gravis is generally treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors like neostigmine and pyridostigmine for symptomatic relief.
Immunosuppressants, such as prednisone or azathioprine is used for long term control.
The surgical removal of the thymus may improve symptoms in certain cases.
Acute myasthenic crisis needs steroids with plasmapheresis and/or intravenous immunoglobulin as definitive treatment.
