Question

myasthenia gravis diagnosis

Answer 1

Diagnosis of Myesthenia Gravis:
- History of the symptoms : Signs and symptoms :
- weakness of arm or leg muscles,
-double vision,
-drooping eyelids,
-difficulties with speech, chewing, swallowing and breathing.

- Neurological examinations :
Reflexes
Muscle strength
Muscle tone
Senses of touch and sight
Coordination
Balance

-Edrophonium test:
Injection of the chemical edrophonium chloride that results in a sudden, temporary improvement in muscle strength might indicate that patient have myasthenia gravis.

Edrophonium chloride blocks an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, the chemical that transmits signals from nerve endings to muscle receptor sites.

Ice pack test:
If patients have a droopy eyelid, doctor might place a bag filled with ice on your eyelid. After two minutes, your doctor removes the bag and analyzes droopy eyelid for signs of improvement.

Blood analysis
A blood test might reveal the presence of abnormal antibodies that disrupt the receptor sites where nerve impulses signal muscles to move.

Repetitive nerve stimulation:
In this nerve conduction study, examiner attach electrodes to skin over the muscles to be tested. They send small pulses of electricity through the electrodes to measure the nerve's ability to send a signal to muscle.

To diagnose myasthenia gravis, examiner will test the nerve repeatedly to see if its ability to send signals worsens with fatigue.

Single-fiber electromyography (EMG):
- to measures the electrical activity traveling between brain and muscle.

Imaging
- to check if there's a tumor or other abnormality in your thymus.

Pulmonary function tests
-to evaluate if condition is affecting the breathing.