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Sivadasan A, Cortel-LeBlanc MA, Cortel-LeBlanc A, Katzberg H. Peripheral nervous system and neuromuscular disorders in the emergency department: A review. Acad Emerg Med 2024; 31:386-397. [PMID: 38419365 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute presentations and emergencies in neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) often challenge clinical acumen. The objective of this review is to refine the reader's approach to history taking, clinical localization and early diagnosis, as well as emergency management of neuromuscular emergencies. METHODS An extensive literature search was performed to identify relevant studies. We prioritized meta-analysis, systematic reviews, and position statements where possible to inform any recommendations. SUMMARY The spectrum of clinical presentations and etiologies ranges from neurotoxic envenomation or infection to autoimmune disease such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and myasthenia gravis (MG). Delayed diagnosis is not uncommon when presentations occur "de novo," respiratory failure is dominant or isolated, or in the case of atypical scenarios such as GBS variants, severe autonomic dysfunction, or rhabdomyolysis. Diseases of the central nervous system, systemic and musculoskeletal disorders can mimic presentations in neuromuscular disorders. CONCLUSIONS Fortunately, early diagnosis and management can improve prognosis. This article provides a comprehensive review of acute presentations in neuromuscular disorders relevant for the emergency physician.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajith Sivadasan
- Ellen & Martin Prosserman Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Miguel A Cortel-LeBlanc
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Institut du Savoir Montfort, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- 360 Concussion Care, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Achelle Cortel-LeBlanc
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Institut du Savoir Montfort, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- 360 Concussion Care, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Queensway Carleton Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hans Katzberg
- Ellen & Martin Prosserman Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Nair AV, Kandagaddala M, Sivadasan A, Prabhakar AT, Nair S, Mathew V, Aaron S, Alexander M. "De Novo" Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure Unmasking Neuromuscular Disorders: Experiences From a Tertiary Care Center and Review of Literature. J Clin Neuromuscul Dis 2024; 25:122-131. [PMID: 38441928 DOI: 10.1097/cnd.0000000000000465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Neuromuscular disorders could have respiratory involvement early or late into illness. Rarely, patients may present with a hypercapnic respiratory failure (with minimal motor signs) unmasking an underlying disease. There are hardly any studies which have addressed the spectrum and challenges involved in management of this subset, especially in the real-world scenario. METHODS A retrospective study comprising consecutive patients hospitalized with hypercapnic respiratory failure as the sole/dominant manifestation. The clinical-electrophysiological spectrum, phrenic conductions, diaphragm thickness, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients were included, the mean age was 47.29 (SD 15.22) years, and the median duration of respiratory symptoms was 2 months (interquartile range [IQR] 1-4). Orthopnea was present in 23 patients (85.2%) and encephalopathy in 8 patients (29.6%). Phrenic nerve latencies and amplitudes were abnormal in 83.3% and 95.6%, respectively. Abnormal diaphragm thickness was noted in 78.5%. Based on a comprehensive electrophysiological strategy and paraclinical tests, an etiology was established in all. Reversible etiologies were identified in 17 patients (62.9%). These included myasthenia gravis (anti-AChR and MuSK), inflammatory myopathy, riboflavin transporter deficiency neuronopathy, Pompe disease, bilateral phrenic neuritis, and thyrotoxicosis. Respiratory onset motor neuron disease was diagnosed in 8 patients (29.6%). Despite diaphragmatic involvement, a functional respiratory recovery was noted at discharge (45%) and last follow-up (60%). Predictors for good outcomes included female sex, normal nerve conductions, and recent-onset respiratory symptoms. DISCUSSION A good functional recovery was noted in most of the patients including respiratory onset motor neuron disease. A systematic algorithmic approach helps in proper triaging, early diagnosis, and treatment. Clinical and electrodiagnostic challenges and observations from a tertiary care referral center are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ajith Sivadasan
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - A T Prabhakar
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Shalini Nair
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Vivek Mathew
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Sanjith Aaron
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Mathew Alexander
- The Brunei Neuroscience Stroke and Rehabilitation Center, Brunei, Darussalam
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Wang F, Cheng J, Niu X, Li L. Respiratory failure as first presentation of myasthenia gravis: a case report. J Int Med Res 2024; 52:3000605241234585. [PMID: 38443765 PMCID: PMC10916481 DOI: 10.1177/03000605241234585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is often complicated by respiratory failure, an exacerbation known as myasthenic crisis. However, most patients with MG develop respiratory symptoms during the late course of the disease. Respiratory failure as an exclusive initial and primary complaint in patients with MG is rare and seldom reported. We herein describe a woman in her late 50s who presented with respiratory failure and was diagnosed with obesity hypoventilation syndrome at a local hospital. Her condition gradually worsened during the next 4 months and became accompanied by dysphagia. After 1 year of medical investigation, she was diagnosed in our hospital. A high level of anti-muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase antibody was found in her serum, and stimulation and electromyography results suggested MG. The patient's symptoms were improved by intravenous immunoglobulin and hormone therapy. This case reminds physicians to consider MG when encountering a patient who initially presents with respiratory failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangming Wang
- Hebei Medical University Graduate School, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jinming Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaoli Niu
- Department of Neurology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Litao Li
- Department of Neurology, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
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Hansen ED, Mulvany-Robbins BE, Boon AJ, Beecher G. Bilateral hemidiaphragm atrophy and electrical myotonia in anti-muscle specific tyrosine kinase myasthenia gravis. Muscle Nerve 2024; 69:239-241. [PMID: 38040912 DOI: 10.1002/mus.28010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elise D Hansen
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Andrea J Boon
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Grayson Beecher
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Eldaabossi S, Alrashdan M, Aljanobi G, Warsha N, Abo Elhassan S, Mahdi W, Farouk A, Taha A, Qabil A, Maklad S, Nabway U, Kenany H, Jaber Y, Zaghloul B. A rare association: Obesity hypoventilation syndrome with myasthenia gravis and systemic lupus erythematosus, case report. Respir Med Case Rep 2023; 44:101848. [PMID: 37251356 PMCID: PMC10209446 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2023.101848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Shrinking lung syndrome (SLS) is an uncommon complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that has also been seen in other autoimmune diseases and is linked with a high risk of acute or chronic respiratory failure. Alveolar hypoventilation in the presence of obesity-hypoventilation syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and myasthenia gravis (MG) is uncommon and poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Case report We reported a 33-year-old female patient from Saudi Arabia who suffered from obesity, bronchial asthma, newly diagnosed essential hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, with recurrent acute alveolar hypoventilation, secondary to obesity hypoventilation syndrome and mixed autoimmune disease (systemic lupus erythematosus and myasthenia gravis), based on the correct constellation of clinical findings and laboratory evidence. Conclusion The interesting aspect of this case report: is the presentation of the overlap of obesity hypoventilation syndrome and shrinking lung syndrome due to systemic lupus erythematosus with generalized and respiratory muscle dysfunction due to myasthenia gravis with good outcomes after therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safwat Eldaabossi
- Pulmonology Consultant, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Chest Diseases, Al Azhar Faculty of Medicine, Egypt
| | - Man Alrashdan
- Department of Chest Diseases, Al Azhar Faculty of Medicine, Egypt
| | - Ghada Aljanobi
- Rheumatology Consultant, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Noha Warsha
- Rheumatology Consultant, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saber Abo Elhassan
- Neurology Consultant, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Al Ahsa. Saudi Arabia. Department of Neurology, Assuit Faculty of Medicine, Egypt
| | - Waheed Mahdi
- Critical Care and Pulmonary Consultant, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Al Ahsa. Saudi Arabia. Department of Chest Diseases, Banha Faculty of Medicine, Egypt
| | - Abdullah Farouk
- Critical Care Consultant, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Al Ahsa. Saudi Arabia. Department of Critical Care, Alexandria Faculty of Medicine, Egypt
| | - Ahmad Taha
- Pulmonology Consultant, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Qabil
- Pulmonology Consultant, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sameh Maklad
- Pulmonology Consultant, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Usama Nabway
- Pulmonology Consultant, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hatem Kenany
- Consultant Critical Care and Anesthesia, Al Azhar Faculty of Medicine, Egypt
| | - Yasser Jaber
- Radiology Consultant, Almoosa Specialist Hospital, Al Ahsa. Saudi Arabia. Department of Radiology, Al Azhar Faculty of Medicine, Egypt
| | - Boshra Zaghloul
- Department of Radiology, Al Azhar Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Egypt
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Santy L, Janssens W, Buyse B. A late diagnosis of myasthenia gravis at the respiratory practice: back to basics. Breathe (Sheff) 2022; 18:210167. [PMID: 36337129 PMCID: PMC9584594 DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0167-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis may affect respiratory muscles. To differentiate between other neuromuscular diseases, evaluation for muscle fatigability can be demonstrated by cardiopulmonary exercise testing and the maximal voluntary ventilation test.https://bit.ly/3qMeWFd
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