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Cavanagh N, Shrubsole K, Alsop T, Williams K. Exploring impairments and allied health professional utilisation in people with myasthenia gravis: A cross-sectional study. J Clin Neurosci 2023; 114:9-16. [PMID: 37276742 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2023.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to explore how people with myasthenia gravis experience impairments in vision, dizziness, hearing, and fatigue, and how these relate to balance confidence, community participation, and health-related quality of life. Additionally, this study investigated the utilisation and perception of the allied health role in managing these impairments in the Australian context. Visual and hearing impairments, along with fatigue, were found to be correlated with health-related quality of life and community participation to varying degrees, while visual impairment and dizziness were correlated with balance confidence. Perception and utilisation of allied health professionals was variable; common barriers to better utilisation included participant perception of clinicians having poor knowledge around myasthenia gravis, previous poor experiences with clinicians, uncertainty about the clinicians' role, and lack of awareness that symptoms were associated with myasthenia gravis. Further research exploring clinicians' knowledge of myasthenia gravis is recommended, along with education for people with the disease about symptoms associated and how to appropriately access care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neve Cavanagh
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Kirstine Shrubsole
- School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Gold Coast, Australia.
| | - Tahlia Alsop
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Katrina Williams
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
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Jain R, Aulakh R. Pediatric Ocular Myasthenia Gravis: A Review. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1721401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
AbstractPediatric ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) is difficult to diagnose and manage, owing to its rarity and low index of suspicion in the early stage of the disease. Also, many other conditions having similar presentation cause a further delay in diagnosis. In this review, we highlighted various pointers in history and described bedside clinical tests that can aid in its timely diagnosis. The antibody spectrum in myasthenia is ever increasing and includes anti-muscle specific kinase and low-density lipoprotein-receptor related protein 4 antibodies in addition to acetylcholine receptor antibodies besides many others. However, pediatric OMG patients often test negative for all three antibodies, making the diagnosis even more difficult in triple seronegative patients. Edrophonium and electrophysiological tests, which help in confirming myasthenia in adults, have a limited utility in diagnosing pediatric ocular myasthenia cases. Various practical difficulties are encountered like nonavailability of edrophonium, risk of bradycardia associated with neostigmine use and its lower sensitivity, noncooperative children, and limited technical expertise in performing electrophysiological tests in children. In this article, we described a pragmatic approach to diagnose pediatric OMG along with the important aspects of its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reena Jain
- Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh, India
| | - Roosy Aulakh
- Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College & Hospital, Chandigarh, India
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Hiyama T, Sekiya K, Kuno H, Oda S, Kusumoto M, Minami M, Kobayashi T. Imaging of extracranial head and neck lesions in cancer patients: a symptom-based approach. Jpn J Radiol 2019; 37:354-370. [PMID: 30911985 DOI: 10.1007/s11604-019-00832-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Besides intracranial lesions, neurological symptoms are also caused in cancer patients by extracranial lesions in the head and neck. Common symptoms caused by such lesions include visual loss, visual field defect, diplopia, ptosis, sensory abnormalities of the head and neck region, facial nerve palsy, dysphagia, dysarthria, hoarseness, and syncope. Some cancer patients often have multiple cranial nerve involvement, which is associated with several syndromes such as jugular foramen syndrome. The main causes of cranial nerve dysfunction due to extracranial lesions include bone and nodal metastasis, perineural tumor spread, inflammation, and radiation injury. The location of the lesions causing the neurological symptom may be estimated by the symptoms and physical examination. However, CT/MRI is critical for reaching the final diagnosis and for treatment planning and management of the cancer patients. Moreover, early identification of the extracranial lesions may significantly affect patient care and alter outcomes. Thus, radiologists should be familiar with imaging findings of the common neurological disorders and the complex anatomy of the head and neck region, which should be checked in cancer patients with neurological symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Hiyama
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan.
| | - Kotaro Sekiya
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Kuno
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
| | - Shioto Oda
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
| | - Masahiko Kusumoto
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan.,Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Manabu Minami
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 2-1-1 Amakubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8576, Japan
| | - Tatsushi Kobayashi
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan
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Saidi T, Sivarasu S, Douglas TS. Open source modular ptosis crutch for the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Expert Rev Med Devices 2018; 15:137-143. [PMID: 29271663 DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2018.1421455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pharmacologic treatment of Myasthenia Gravis presents challenges due to poor tolerability in some patients. Conventional ptosis crutches have limitations such as interference with blinking which causes ocular surface drying, and frequent irritation of the eyes. To address this problem, a modular and adjustable ptosis crutch for elevating the upper eyelid in Myasthenia Gravis patients has been proposed as a non-surgical and low-cost solution. AREAS COVERED This paper reviews the literature on the challenges in the treatment of Myasthenia Gravis globally and focuses on a modular and adjustable ptosis crutch that has been developed by the Medical Device Laboratory at the University of Cape Town. EXPERT COMMENTARY The new medical device has potential as a simple, effective and unobtrusive solution to elevate the drooping upper eyelid(s) above the visual axis without the need for medication and surgery. Access to the technology is provided through an open source platform which makes it available globally. Open access provides opportunities for further open innovation to address the current limitations of the device, ultimately for the benefit not only of people suffering from Myasthenia Gravis but also of those with ptosis from other aetiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trust Saidi
- a Department of Human Biology , Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa
| | - Sudesh Sivarasu
- a Department of Human Biology , Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa
| | - Tania S Douglas
- a Department of Human Biology , Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa
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Findlay M, Heckmann JM, Sivarasu S. Three-Dimensional Printed Patient Specific Ptosis Crutches as a Nonsurgical Solution for Elevating Upper Eyelids in Myasthenia Gravis Patients1. J Med Device 2016. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4033225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Megan Findlay
- Medical Devices Laboratory, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Jeannine M. Heckmann
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Sudesh Sivarasu
- Medical Devices Laboratory, Division of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa e-mail:
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