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Myasthenia gravis and the thymus gland. A historical review

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Abstract

The first report of an association between myasthenia gravis (MG) and the thymus gland was in 1901. Although the underlying mechanisms are uncertain, thymic abnormalities are clearly associated with MG. This review article summarises, from a historical point of view, our knowledge of these associations, and the surgical and medical treatment of MG, including symptom management, immunosuppression, intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Histology and Cytology “Victor Babes”, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania

    Marius Raica & Anca Maria Cimpean

  2. Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari Medical School, Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, I-70124, Bari, Italy

    Domenico Ribatti

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  1. Marius Raica
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  2. Anca Maria Cimpean
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  3. Domenico Ribatti
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Correspondence to Domenico Ribatti.

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Raica, M., Cimpean, A.M. & Ribatti, D. Myasthenia gravis and the thymus gland. A historical review. Clin. Exper.Med. 8, 61–64 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-008-0158-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10238-008-0158-y

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