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. 1967 Apr;106(4):275–281.

Myasthenia Gravis: Brief Guide to Diagnosis and Management

Christian Herrmann Jr
PMCID: PMC1502664  PMID: 6046860

Abstract

Physicians should consider the possibility of myasthenia gravis in patients complaining of fluctuating muscle weakness and easy fatigability. The disorder may occur in either sex at any age. Repeated measurements of multiple muscle groups and functions to include baseline strength and response to a control as well as anticholinesterase drugs are desirable in reaching a diagnosis. Appropriate doses of anticholinesterase medication reduce weakness and fatigability in most patients. Selected patients may benefit from thymectomy. Patients in crisis failing to respond to anticholinesterase drugs, having difficulty maintaining a patent airway or adequate respiratory exchange are best managed by prompt tracheostomy using a cuffed tube, with adequate tracheobronchial toilet and mechanical respiratory assistance.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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