Article

Disorders of the neuromuscular junction, such as myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, constitute an important and treatable class of diseases. Both disorders are typically caused by an immunologically mediated
attack on discrete components of the neuromuscular junction, compromise the
efficacy of neurotransmitter transmission, and produce clinically distinct
syndromes of fatigable muscle weakness.
Although the history, clinical
examination, and routine antibody testing can be diagnostic in many cases,
specialized neurophysiological tests, such as repetitive nerve stimulation and
single-fiber electromyography, are essential tools in the diagnostic evaluation
of patients with more complicated or atypical conditions.
In this review, we
introduce primary disorders of the neuromuscular junction, and discuss the
salient clinical and laboratory workup appropriate for recognizing these
disorders, and the typical findings seen on electrodiagnostic testing with
repetitive nerve stimulation and single-fiber electromyography.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS