Exacerbation of myasthenia gravis after removal of a thymoma having a membrane phenotype of suppressor t cells

✍ Scribed by Dr. Yasuo Kuroda; Ken-Ichiro Oda; Ryuji Neshige; Hiroshi Shibasaki

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1984
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 281 KB
• Volume: 15
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0364-5134
• DOI: 10.1002/ana.410150416

✦ Synopsis

We describe a case of myasthenia gravis associated with a thymoma having a membrane phenotype of suppressor T cells, as defined by monoclonal antibodies. Thymectomy resulted in exacerbation of the disease, a drastic increase in serum acetylcholine receptor-antibody titer, and a decrease of the circulating suppressor T cell population. The findings indicate that the etiopathogenic relationship between the thymus and myasthenia gravis is variable and complex.