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  • Myasthenia gravis in an adolescent patient presenting to the pediatric emergency department.

Myasthenia gravis in an adolescent patient presenting to the pediatric emergency department.

Pediatric emergency care (2010-05-11)
James Rook, Michelle L Rivera, Gail M Stewart
ABSTRACT

Myasthenia gravis is a rare, chronic, autoimmune disorder characterized by postsynaptic dysfunction at the neuromuscular junction. The disease affects more females than males. We describe the case of a 17-year-old female adolescent with recurrent episodes of dysarthria and dysphagia and a history of aspiration pneumonia. A bedside edrophonium (Tensilon) test in our emergency department confirmed the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis.