Misdiagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis and Subsequent Clinical Implication A case report and review of literature
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2012, Vol 12, Issue 1
Abstract
Te autoimmune disease, myasthenia gravis (MG), can mimic a variety of neurological disorders leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. On occasions, misdiagnosis of MG could lead to unnecessary and potentially harmful therapeutic interventions. We report on a 12 year-old boy, in whom MG was mistaken for meningitic sequelae and subsequently for critical neuropathy/myopathy resulting in considerable morbidity for nearly a decade. Subsequent correct diagnosis and optimal management resulted in signifcant improvement in his functional status. We discuss the importance of considering MG as one of the potential differential diagnoses among cases of recurrent respiratory pump failure, or unexplained bulbar symptoms where documentary proof of the previous diagnoses including work-up for MG is lacking. We also review the literature on MG misdiagnosis and highlight the potential pitfalls in MG diagnosis.
Authors and Affiliations
Abdullah Al-Asmi| Department of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, Ramachandiran Nandhagopal| Department of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, P C Jacob| Department of Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, Arunodaya Gujjar| Department of Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
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