scholarly journals Non-paraneoplastic Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome: a brief review of 10 cases

2010 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 849-854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo J. Lorenzoni ◽  
Rosana H. Scola ◽  
Cláudia S. Kamoi Kay ◽  
Sérgio F. Parolin ◽  
Lineu C. Werneck

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is an immune-mediated disorder of the presynaptic neuromuscular transmission, which more frequently occurs as the remote effect of a neoplasm, in the paraneoplastic form (P-LEMS), or in a non-paraneoplastic form (NP-LEMS); but few studies describe the clinical features of NP-LEMS. We analyzed the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, electrophysiological studies, and treatment responses in ten Brazilian patients suffering from NP-LEMS. The mean age was 41.5 years. More often neurological findings were hyporeflexia or areflexia with a post-exercise improvement. Treatment response occurred with pyridostigmine, guanidine, prednisone, azathioprine, and cyclosporine; but not response was observed after intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange. Age at onset, clinical manifestations, and electrophysiological abnormalities can help more in the diagnosis than serum antibodies; the symptomatic treatment with pyridostigmine was effective; and the immunosuppressive treatment with prednisone, azathioprine, or cyclosporine was more beneficial than plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin treatment.

2014 ◽  
Vol 72 (12) ◽  
pp. 966-971
Author(s):  
Paulo Victor Sgobbi de Souza ◽  
Wladimir Bocca Vieira de Rezende Pinto ◽  
Acary Souza Bulle Oliveira

During recent years, an increasing number of neuromuscular diseases have been recognized either to be caused primarily by autoimmune mechanisms, or to have important autoimmune components. The involved pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical manifestations have been better recognized and many of these disorders are potentially treatable by immunosuppression or by immunomodulation with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). IVIg has been tried in a variety of immune-mediated neurological diseases, being target of widespread use in central and peripheral nervous systems diseases. Objective To give an overview of the main topics regarding the mechanism of action and different therapeutic uses of IVIg in neurological practice, mainly in neuromuscular diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 7-12

In order to explore the diagnosis and treatment of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) in cats, we diagnosed and treated a cat with IMHA. We made a detailed observation and record of the treatment process for reference to the treatment of IMHA in cats. Our diagnosis was based on the cat’s clinical manifestations, routine diagnosis, laboratory tests, and ultrasound results. We excluded the possibility of common infectious diseases and parasitic infections. The cat was initially diagnosed with hemolytic anemia, fatty liver, hepatocyte injury and cholestasis. The condition did not improve after symptomatic treatment for five days. But the cat gradually improved after the use of immunosuppressants, and was finally diagnosed to be suffering from IMHA. After 32 days of treatment, the cat was basically cured and discharged from the hospital. This paper describes a case study which can serve as the reference for the diagnosis and treatment of feline IMHA.


2019 ◽  
pp. 130-176
Author(s):  
Robert P. Lisak ◽  
James Selwa

The chapter is concerned with disorders that affect the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a prototypic antibody-mediated disease affecting the neuromuscular junction. The chapter looks at the epidemiology of MG. It also considers clinical manifestations and presentations, classification and staging, and diagnosis. The chapter also examines immunologic testing and issues such as pregnancy in MG. It considers future directions and treatment options in this area. Next, the chapter considers Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), which is a rare disease of the NMJ that is difficult to diagnose. The chapter looks at clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment. Finally, the chapter briefly considers other immune-mediated diseases.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuewen Xiao ◽  
Dongni Fu ◽  
Li Feng

Abstract Background Hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) is a fibrotic disorder featuring a thickening of the dura matter. Most HP studies were from Caucasian population and only a few studies of HP are available in China. In this study, we investigated the causes, clinical and imaging features and therapeutic implications of HP in a southern Chinese population.Methods We retrospectively analyzed 48 patients with HP with different causes from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2018. Clinical manifestation, laboratory findings, neuroimaging results, and clinical course were evaluated in all HP patients.Results The mean age at onset was 50±12 years. The most common diagnosis was idiopathic HP (67%), followed by ANCA-associated vasculitis (15%), tuberculous meningitis (8%), viral meningitis (6%), and bacterial meningitis (4%). The main clinical manifestations were headache and cranial nerve deficits. The most frequently changed laboratory finding was elevated ESR. Imaging was characterized by cerebral or spinal dura matter enhancement in MRI scan with contrast. Enhancements were mainly located in the posterior fossa for idiopathic HP; frontal, parietal and occipital lobes for ANCA-related HP; and the posterior fossa for tuberculous-associated HP. Diffuse enhancement was found in most cases, except for tuberculous-associated HP. Glucocorticoid or immunosuppressive treatment were applied in most cases.Conclusions HP was diagnosed based on clinical manifestations, imaging and laboratory results. Etiology varied among patients, with idiopathic HP being the most common. MRI with contrast showed enhancement of the dura matter, which differed according to different etiologies. Glucocorticoid or immunosuppressive agents were the primary drugs for treatment.


1970 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 53-67
Author(s):  
Aline Dos Santos ◽  
Ana Caroline Balducci Scafi ◽  
Luciene Azevedo Morais ◽  
Pablo Girardelli Mendonça Mesquita

RESUMOIntrodução: A Granulomatose de Wegener (GW) é uma vasculite rara e idiopática associada à presença do anticorpo Anticitoplasma de Neutrófilo (ANCA) que acomete, preferencialmente, os pequenos vasos. As manifestações clínicas são diversas, ocorrendo em mais de 90% dos casos, sintomas do trato respiratório. O comprometimento renal é tardio e preditor de mau prognóstico.  Sua morbidade a médio e longo prazo inclui insuficiência renal crônica. A probabilidade de sucesso de manutenção da função renal depende da concentração sérica de creatinina ao início do tratamento, o que indica a importância do diagnóstico e terapêutica adequada precoces. Casuística: Relata-se o caso de uma paciente do sexo feminino, 61 anos, portadora de GW com comprometimento renal avançado à apresentação não precedido por sintomas pulmonares esperados. O tratamento imunossupressor associado a plasmaferese permitiu a melhora da função renal da paciente poupando-a de tornar-se dialítica- dependente. Discussão: A paciente iniciou a doença através de insuficiência renal assintomática, com valores de função renal compatíveis com o estágio mais avançado de doença renal crônica, ultrassonografia dos rins sem alterações compatíveis e sem os sintomas respiratórios esperados. Segundo a literatura, a combinação de imunossupressores e plasmaferese associa-se à recuperação renal em três meses com sobrevivência sem necessidade de diálise por 12 meses, no caso relatado, obteve-se tal resultado em 22 dias sem a necessidade de diálise após um ano. Conclusão: Devido ao diagnóstico precoce, o tratamento adequado foi instalado rapidamente proporcionando à paciente um aumento da expectativa e da qualidade de vida, evitando dependência de terapia renal substitutiva.Palavras-Chave: Granulomatose de Wegener, Plasmaferese, Doença renal crônica.  ABSTRACTIntroduction: The Wegener's Granulomatosis (WG) is a rare and idiopathic vasculitis associated with the presence of Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA), that affects, preferentially, the small vessels. The clinical manifestations are diverse, occurring in over 90% of cases, symptoms in the respiratory tract. Kidney damage is a late and bad prognostic predictor. Morbidity in the medium and long term includes chronic renal failure. The probability of renal function maintenance success depends on serum creatinine concentration at the beginning of treatment that indicates the importance of early diagnosis and deployment of an appropriate therapy. Case Report: We present a case of a 61-year-old female patient, carrier of GW with advanced renal impairment presentation, not preceded by expected pulmonary symptoms. The immunosuppressive treatment associated with plasmapheresis allowed the improvement of the patient’s renal function, saving her from becoming dialysis-dependent Discussion: The patient developed the disease through asymptomatic renal failure, renal function with values that are compatible with the most advanced stage of chronic kidney disease, ultrasound of the kidneys without compatible changes and without the expected respiratory symptoms. According to the literature, the combination of immunosuppressive drugs and plasmapheresis is associated with renal recovery in three months with survival without dialysis for 12 months. In this case, a result was obtained in 22 days without the need for dialysis after one year. Conclusion: Due to the early diagnosis, appropriate treatment was quickly installed giving the patient increased life expectancy and quality, preventing dependence on renal replacement therapy.Keywords: Wegener’s granulomatosis, Plasmapheresis, Chronic renal failure.


Lupus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 096120332110142
Author(s):  
Tamer A Gheita ◽  
Rasha Abdel Noor ◽  
Esam Abualfadl ◽  
Osama S Abousehly ◽  
Iman I El-Gazzar ◽  
...  

Objective The aim of this study was to present the epidemiology, clinical manifestations and treatment pattern of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Egyptian patients over the country and compare the findings to large cohorts worldwide. Objectives were extended to focus on the age at onset and gender driven influence on the disease characteristics. Patients and method This population-based, multicenter, cross-sectional study included 3661 adult SLE patients from Egyptian rheumatology departments across the nation. Demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data were assessed for all patients. Results The study included 3661 patients; 3296 females and 365 males (9.03:1) and the median age was 30 years (17–79 years), disease duration 4 years (0–75 years) while the median age at disease onset was 25 years (4–75 years). The overall estimated prevalence of adult SLE in Egypt was 6.1/100,000 population (1.2/100,000 males and 11.3/100,000 females).There were 316 (8.6%) juvenile-onset (Jo-SLE) and 3345 adult-onset (Ao-SLE). Age at onset was highest in South and lowest in Cairo (p < 0.0001). Conclusion SLE in Egypt had a wide variety of clinical and immunological manifestations, with some similarities with that in other nations and differences within the same country. The clinical characteristics, autoantibodies and comorbidities are comparable between Ao-SLE and Jo-SLE. The frequency of various clinical and immunological manifestations varied between gender. Additional studies are needed to determine the underlying factors contributing to gender and age of onset differences.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 030006052110122
Author(s):  
Yimin Ma ◽  
Duanming Zhuang ◽  
Zhenguo Qiao

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated intestinal disease that is characterized by production of autoantibodies directed against the small intestine. The main clinical manifestations of CD are typically defined as those related to indigestion and malabsorption. These manifestations include unexplained diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, weight loss, anemia, failure-to-thrive in children, and decreased bone density. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations, which may also involve the gastrointestinal tract. Comorbidity of CD and SLE is rare, and the overlapping symptoms and nonspecific clinical presentation may pose a diagnostic challenge to clinicians. We report here a case of SLE with CD, which mainly manifested as recurrent diarrhea, uncorrectable electrolyte disorders, and severe malnutrition. Through review, we hope to further improve our understanding and diagnostic level of this combination of diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 871.2-871
Author(s):  
F. Araujo ◽  
N. Gonçalves ◽  
A. F. Mourão

Background:The outcomes of the infection by the SARS-CoV-2 in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases were largely unknown during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was hypothesized that these patients were at higher risk of morbidity and mortality due to their inherent immune dysfunction and immunosuppressive therapy. Several rheumatology societies issued recommendations urging patients not to stop their anti-rheumatic treatments.Objectives:To assess treatment compliance of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal.Methods:The web-based survey COVIDRA (COVID in RA) was developed to assess the impact of the first wave mandatory confinement in patients with RA focusing on 5 domains: RA symptoms, attitudes towards medication, employment status, physical exercise and mental health. The questionnaire was sent to RA patients through e-mail and social media of the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology and two patient associations; and it was filled locally at two rheumatology centers in Lisbon. Recruitment took place during June and July 2020. Descriptive statistics were generated by the survey software and were afterwards transported and evaluated using appropriate biostatistics software.Results:We obtained 441 valid questionnaires. Most respondents were female (88.4%), caucasian (93.6%), with a mean age of 58 (+/-13) years. The majority (57.6%) had longstanding disease (>10 years) and were treated with csDMARDs (63.2%) and/or bDMARDs/tsDMARDS (23,7%). Only 14% (N=61) discontinued or reduced the dosage or frequency of their RA treatment. Most of these changes were previously planned by the attending physician (27.9%). Only 11 patients (18%) discontinued their immunosuppressive medication out of fear of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 (corresponding to 2.5% of total responders). Another 11 patients did so because they had no prescription, couldn’t go to the community/hospital pharmacy or couldn’t afford the medication. Although these numbers preclude any statistical analysis, when compared to patients who persisted on their treatment, those discontinuing due to fear of contagion were younger (56.4 vs 58.5 years), all female (100 vs 86.8%), with long-lasting disease (≥ 11 years) (90.9% vs 57.5%), more frequently treated with bDMARDs (36.4 vs 23.1%) and presenting more symptoms of depression (54.5 vs 49.7%).Conclusion:Most RA patients complied with their treatment during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Portugal. Only a minority changed their immunosuppressive treatment due to fear of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Very similar rates of immunosuppressive discontinuation due to fear of contagion were reported by other authors (such as Schmeiser et al, Pineda-sic et al and Fragoulis et al).Disclosure of Interests:Filipe Araujo Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Biogen, Novartis, Menarini, Consultant of: MSD, Nuno Gonçalves: None declared, Ana Filipa Mourão: None declared.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeong-Seon Lee ◽  
Joong-Gon Kim ◽  
Soyoung Lee

AbstractChildhood-onset polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare and systemic necrotising vasculitis in children affecting small- to medium-sized arteries. To date, there have been only a few reports because of its rarity. Thus, we aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatment, and long-term outcomes in patients with childhood-onset PAN and to evaluate the usefulness of the paediatric vasculitis activity score (PVAS). We retrospectively analysed the data of nine patients with childhood-onset PAN from March 2003 to February 2020. The median ages at symptom onset, diagnosis, and follow-up duration were 7.6 (3–17.5), 7.7 (3.5–17.6), and 7.0 (1.6–16.3) years, respectively. All patients had constitutional symptoms and skin manifestations, while five exhibited Raynaud’s phenomenon. Organ involvement was observed in one patient. The median PVAS at diagnosis was 7 (range: 2–32). Prednisolone was initially used for induction in all patients, and other drugs were added in cases refractory to prednisolone. All patients survived, but three patients with high PVAS at diagnosis experienced irreversible sequelae, including intracranial haemorrhage and digital amputation. In conclusion, early diagnosis and treatment may minimise sequelae in patients with childhood-onset PAN. This study suggests that high PVAS score at diagnosis may be associated with poor prognosis.


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