BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acute severe exacerbations of myasthenia gravis (MG) are common in both early and late onset MG. We wished to examine the current management in the intensive care unit (ICU) of severe exacerbations of MG and to study the long-term prognosis of MG following discharge from the ICU. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients admitted to a specialist neuro-ICU with acute exacerbations of MG over a 12-year period. RESULTS: We identified 38 patients. Over 60% were over the age of 50 years, and MG was newly diagnosed in over 40%. Intubation was required in 63%, and over 90% of patients were treated with prednisolone and/or intravenous immunoglobulin. Four patients died in hospital. The remainder of patients were followed up for a mean of 4 years, and the majority were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms of MG at clinical review. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the significant morbidity and mortality associated with severe exacerbations of MG, specialized neurointensive care can result in a good long-term prognosis in both early- and late-onset MG.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Acute severe exacerbations of myasthenia gravis (MG) are common in both early and late onset MG. We wished to examine the current management in the intensive care unit (ICU) of severe exacerbations of MG and to study the long-term prognosis of MG following discharge from the ICU. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients admitted to a specialist neuro-ICU with acute exacerbations of MG over a 12-year period. RESULTS: We identified 38 patients. Over 60% were over the age of 50 years, and MG was newly diagnosed in over 40%. Intubation was required in 63%, and over 90% of patients were treated with prednisolone and/or intravenous immunoglobulin. Four patients died in hospital. The remainder of patients were followed up for a mean of 4 years, and the majority were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms of MG at clinical review. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the significant morbidity and mortality associated with severe exacerbations of MG, specialized neurointensive care can result in a good long-term prognosis in both early- and late-onset MG.
Authors: Philipp Mergenthaler; Henning R Stetefeld; Christian Dohmen; Siegfried Kohler; Silvia Schönenberger; Julian Bösel; Stefan T Gerner; Hagen B Huttner; Hauke Schneider; Heinz Reichmann; Hannah Fuhrer; Benjamin Berger; Jan Zinke; Anke Alberty; Ingo Kleiter; Christiane Schneider-Gold; Christian Roth; Juliane Dunkel; Andreas Steinbrecher; Andrea Thieme; De-Hyung Lee; Ralf A Linker; Klemens Angstwurm; Andreas Meisel; Bernhard Neumann Journal: J Neurol Date: 2022-04-07 Impact factor: 4.849
Authors: Nicole König; Henning R Stetefeld; Christian Dohmen; Philipp Mergenthaler; Siegfried Kohler; Silvia Schönenberger; Julian Bösel; De-Hyung Lee; Stefan T Gerner; Hagen B Huttner; Hauke Schneider; Heinz Reichmann; Hannah Fuhrer; Benjamin Berger; Jan Zinke; Anke Alberty; Ingo Kleiter; Christiane Schneider-Gold; Christian Roth; Juliane Dunkel; Andreas Steinbrecher; Andrea Thieme; Felix Schlachetzki; Ralf A Linker; Klemens Angstwurm; Andreas Meisel; Bernhard Neumann Journal: J Neurol Date: 2021-05-10 Impact factor: 4.849