Undiagnosed myasthenia gravis unmasked by neuromuscular blockade. 2001

M F Dunsire, and S G Clarke, and J J Stedmon
Department of Anaesthesia, Fremantle Hospital, WA, Australia.

Myasthenia gravis is an uncommon autoimmune disease resulting in destruction of the postsynaptic nicotinic receptors at the neuromuscular junction. We describe a 43-yr-old, 95 kg patient who presented for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. She was given vecuronium 10 mg to facilitate tracheal intubation. At the end of the procedure the patient could not maintain adequate spontaneous ventilation despite administration of two doses of neostigmine 2.5 mg. Subsequent investigation led to a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. We discuss the investigation, diagnosis, and subsequent management of such a patient and emphasize that tactile estimation of the train-of-four ratio is not a reliable indicator of adequate recovery of neuromuscular function.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009157 Myasthenia Gravis A disorder of neuromuscular transmission characterized by fatigable weakness of cranial and skeletal muscles with elevated titers of ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTORS or muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK) autoantibodies. Clinical manifestations may include ocular muscle weakness (fluctuating, asymmetric, external ophthalmoplegia; diplopia; ptosis; and weakness of eye closure) and extraocular fatigable weakness of facial, bulbar, respiratory, and proximal limb muscles. The disease may remain limited to the ocular muscles (ocular myasthenia). THYMOMA is commonly associated with this condition. Anti-MuSK Myasthenia Gravis,MuSK MG,MuSK Myasthenia Gravis,Muscle-Specific Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Myasthenia Gravis,Muscle-Specific Tyrosine Kinase Antibody Positive Myasthenia Gravis,Myasthenia Gravis, Generalized,Myasthenia Gravis, Ocular,Anti MuSK Myasthenia Gravis,Generalized Myasthenia Gravis,Muscle Specific Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Myasthenia Gravis,Muscle Specific Tyrosine Kinase Antibody Positive Myasthenia Gravis,Myasthenia Gravis, Anti-MuSK,Myasthenia Gravis, MuSK,Ocular Myasthenia Gravis
D011183 Postoperative Complications Pathologic processes that affect patients after a surgical procedure. They may or may not be related to the disease for which the surgery was done, and they may or may not be direct results of the surgery. Complication, Postoperative,Complications, Postoperative,Postoperative Complication
D012131 Respiratory Insufficiency Failure to adequately provide oxygen to cells of the body and to remove excess carbon dioxide from them. (Stedman, 25th ed) Acute Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure,Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure,Hypercapnic Acute Respiratory Failure,Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure,Hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure,Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure,Respiratory Depression,Respiratory Failure,Ventilatory Depression,Depressions, Ventilatory,Failure, Hypercapnic Respiratory,Failure, Hypoxemic Respiratory,Failure, Respiratory,Hypercapnic Respiratory Failures,Hypoxemic Respiratory Failures,Respiratory Failure, Hypercapnic,Respiratory Failure, Hypoxemic,Respiratory Failures
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D014673 Vecuronium Bromide Monoquaternary homolog of PANCURONIUM. A non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent with shorter duration of action than pancuronium. Its lack of significant cardiovascular effects and lack of dependence on good kidney function for elimination as well as its short duration of action and easy reversibility provide advantages over, or alternatives to, other established neuromuscular blocking agents. NC-45,Norcuron,ORG-NC 45,ORG-NC-45,ORG-NC45,Vecuronium,Vecuronium Bromide, Quaternary Ion,Vecuronium Citrate,Vecuronium Hydrobromide,Vecuronium Hydrochloride,Vecuronium Maleate,Vecuronium Phosphate,Bromide, Vecuronium,Citrate, Vecuronium,Hydrobromide, Vecuronium,Hydrochloride, Vecuronium,Maleate, Vecuronium,NC 45,NC45,ORG NC 45,ORG NC45,ORGNC 45,ORGNC45,Phosphate, Vecuronium
D016343 Monitoring, Intraoperative The constant checking on the state or condition of a patient during the course of a surgical operation (e.g., checking of vital signs). Intraoperative Monitoring
D017081 Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic Excision of the gallbladder through an abdominal incision using a laparoscope. Cholecystectomy, Celioscopic,Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy,Celioscopic Cholecystectomies,Celioscopic Cholecystectomy,Cholecystectomies, Celioscopic,Cholecystectomies, Laparoscopic,Laparoscopic Cholecystectomies
D019148 Neuromuscular Blockade The intentional interruption of transmission at the NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION by external agents, usually neuromuscular blocking agents. It is distinguished from NERVE BLOCK in which nerve conduction (NEURAL CONDUCTION) is interrupted rather than neuromuscular transmission. Neuromuscular blockade is commonly used to produce MUSCLE RELAXATION as an adjunct to anesthesia during surgery and other medical procedures. It is also often used as an experimental manipulation in basic research. It is not strictly speaking anesthesia but is grouped here with anesthetic techniques. The failure of neuromuscular transmission as a result of pathological processes is not included here. Neuromuscular Block,Block, Neuromuscular,Blockade, Neuromuscular

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