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Late onset generalized myasthenia gravis presenting with facial weakness and bulbar signs without extraocular muscle involvement

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Abstract

Bilateral facial palsy is a common sign of autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG). However, facial muscle weakness without clinical signs of extraocular muscle (EOM) involvement is extremely rare. We describe a late onset generalized MG presenting with facial weakness and bulbar signs without EOM deficits. The diagnosis was based on neurophysiological assessment and positive acetylcholine receptor antibody titer. Thymoma was excluded. The clinical response to corticosteroids, pyridostigmine and intravenous immunoglobulin was complete. EOM weakness was never observed during a 3-year follow-up, also during a later exacerbation of MG.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma, Italy

    Laura Cucurachi, Luigi Cattaneo, Franco Gemignani & Giovanni Pavesi

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  1. Laura Cucurachi
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  2. Luigi Cattaneo
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  3. Franco Gemignani
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  4. Giovanni Pavesi
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Correspondence to Laura Cucurachi.

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Cucurachi, L., Cattaneo, L., Gemignani, F. et al. Late onset generalized myasthenia gravis presenting with facial weakness and bulbar signs without extraocular muscle involvement. Neurol Sci 30, 343–344 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-009-0095-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-009-0095-x

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