Graves' ophthalmopathy, ocular myasthenia gravis and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. 1985

H Czernobilsky, and R Ziegler

A case of Graves' ophthalmopathy, ocular myasthenia gravis (MG) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis is presented, an association that has not been previously reported. A 22-year-old woman presented with exophthalmos and a normal-sized thyroid. Four years later, shortly after delivery of her second child, ocular MG developed. Twenty years after her initial symptoms, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and mild hypothyroidism were diagnosed. Treatment of the latter brought about marked improvement of the ophthalmoplegia. The differential diagnosis of ophthalmoplegia is discussed, and the importance of recognizing and treating hypothyroidism in MG is emphasized. Since Hashimoto's thyroiditis as well as MG have an abnormality of T-lymphocyte regulatory function, and the autoimmune process is directed in both diseases against cell membrane receptors, they can be considered as pathogenetically related. The reported case exemplifies this association.

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
D009886 Ophthalmoplegia Paralysis of one or more of the ocular muscles due to disorders of the eye muscles, neuromuscular junction, supporting soft tissue, tendons, or innervation to the muscles. Oculomotor Paralysis,External Ophthalmoplegia,Internal Ophthalmoplegia,Ophthalmoparesis,External Ophthalmoplegias,Internal Ophthalmoplegias,Ophthalmopareses,Ophthalmoplegia, External,Ophthalmoplegia, Internal,Ophthalmoplegias,Ophthalmoplegias, External,Ophthalmoplegias, Internal,Paralysis, Oculomotor
D003937 Diagnosis, Differential Determination of which one of two or more diseases or conditions a patient is suffering from by systematically comparing and contrasting results of diagnostic measures. Diagnoses, Differential,Differential Diagnoses,Differential Diagnosis
D005094 Exophthalmos Abnormal protrusion of both eyes; may be caused by endocrine gland malfunction, malignancy, injury, or paralysis of the extrinsic muscles of the eye. Proptosis,Proptoses
D005128 Eye Diseases Diseases affecting the eye. Eye Disorders,Eye Disease,Eye Disorder
D005260 Female Females
D006111 Graves Disease A common form of hyperthyroidism with a diffuse hyperplastic GOITER. It is an autoimmune disorder that produces antibodies against the THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE RECEPTOR. These autoantibodies activate the TSH receptor, thereby stimulating the THYROID GLAND and hypersecretion of THYROID HORMONES. These autoantibodies can also affect the eyes (GRAVES OPHTHALMOPATHY) and the skin (Graves dermopathy). Basedow's Disease,Exophthalmic Goiter,Goiter, Exophthalmic,Graves' Disease,Basedow Disease,Hyperthyroidism, Autoimmune,Basedows Disease,Disease, Basedow,Disease, Basedow's,Disease, Graves,Disease, Graves',Exophthalmic Goiters,Goiters, Exophthalmic
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
D013601 T-Lymphocytes Lymphocytes responsible for cell-mediated immunity. Two types have been identified - cytotoxic (T-LYMPHOCYTES, CYTOTOXIC) and helper T-lymphocytes (T-LYMPHOCYTES, HELPER-INDUCER). They are formed when lymphocytes circulate through the THYMUS GLAND and differentiate to thymocytes. When exposed to an antigen, they divide rapidly and produce large numbers of new T cells sensitized to that antigen. T Cell,T Lymphocyte,T-Cells,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocytes,Cell, T,Cells, T,Lymphocyte, T,Lymphocyte, Thymus-Dependent,Lymphocytes, T,Lymphocytes, Thymus-Dependent,T Cells,T Lymphocytes,T-Cell,T-Lymphocyte,Thymus Dependent Lymphocytes,Thymus-Dependent Lymphocyte

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