Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis: A 10-year Review of Cases at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia

Prevalence and risk factors of myasthenia gravis recurrence post-thymectomy

Objectives:

To evaluate the prevalence and the factors associated with recurrence of myasthenia gravis following thymectomy.

Methods:

Six electronic databases which reported on recurrence of myasthenia gravis following thymectomy and/or its risk factors from 1985 to 2018 were searched. Summary prevalence and risk values obtained based on the random effect models were reported.

Results:

Seventy (70) papers containing 7,287 individuals with myasthenia gravis who received thymectomy as part of their management were retrieved. The patients had a mean follow-up of 4.65 years post-thymectomy. The prevalence of myasthenia gravis recurrence post-thymectomy was 18.0% (95% CI 14.7–22.0%; 1865/7287). Evident heterogeneity was observed (I²=93.6%; p<0.001). Recurrence rate was insignificantly higher in male compared with female patients (31.3 vs. 23.8%; p=0.104). Pooled recurrence rates for thymomatous (33.3%) was higher than the rate among non-thymomatous (20.8%) myasthenia gravis patients (Q=4.19, p=0.041). Risk factors for recurrence include older age, male sex, disease severity, having thymomatous myasthenia gravis, longer duration of the myasthenia gravis before surgery, and having an ectopic thymic tissue.

Conclusion:

A fifth of individuals with myasthenia gravis experience recurrence after thymectomy. Closer monitoring should be given to at-risk patients and further studies are needed to understand interventions to address these risks.

[Clinical course of myasthenia gravis at the department of neurology in Antananarivo Madagascar]

Introduction

myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare disease affecting the neuromuscular junction. It can lead to a life-threatening condition, especially when it is associated with respiratory failure. Full remission is possible with treatment. Our aims are to describe the clinical course of patients with MG with under treatment, in order to further improve management and to implement a database of patients living in Madagascar.

Methods

we conducted a descriptive retrospective study in the Department of Neurology at the Befelatanana Antananarivo University Hospital Center between January 2010 and December 2017. This study involved all patients diagnosed with MG based on positive prostigmin test.

Results

among the 5814 hospitalized patients, 25 (0,42%) were included. Only 16 patients were on follow-up (64%) of whom 14 were receiving medical treatment. Three of them had undergone thymectomy. The mean follow-up period was 24 months. Among treated patients, 8 improved and 2 died. Among thymectomized patients, 2 improved and 1 died.

Conclusion

myasthenia gravis is a rare but serious disease. Improvement is possible with treatment even in the absence of adequate technical equipment for its management in Madagascar. Currently, a campaign in partnership with Myasthenia Gravis Association in Madagascar is underway for breathing devices useful especially when myasthenic crises occur.

Thymectomy in Non-Thymomatous Myasthenia Gravis: Does An RCT Solve The 75-Year-Old Controversy?

The role of thymectomy in thymomatous myasthenia gravis (MG) is unambiguous. However, its role in non-thymomatous MG (NTMG) remains debatable. The evidence till date is not robust. In this short review, we try to see the pros and cons of thymectomy in NTMG and critically appraise the evidence available till date.