Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology

The Korean Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (대한임상신경생리학회)
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Abnormal spontaneous electromyographic activity in myasthenia gravis causing a diagnostic confusion: a case report and literature review

  • Kim, Sohyeon (Department of Neurology, Dongsan Hospital, Keimyung University School of Medicine) ;
  • Kang, Minsung (Department of Neurology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Park, Jin-Sung (Department of Neurology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Seok, Hung Youl (Department of Neurology, Dongsan Hospital, Keimyung University School of Medicine)
  • Received : 2022.06.24
  • Accepted : 2022.08.13
  • Published : 2022.10.30
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Abstract

Some cases of myasthenia gravis (MG) with abnormal spontaneous activity (ASA) in needle electromyography (EMG) have been reported, but the associated clinical characteristics remain to be fully elucidated. We report the case of a 36-year-old male with MG in whom ASA was observed. This study highlights that ASA may appear in needle EMG in patients with severe MG who predominantly have bulbar and/or respiratory involvement. Care is needed because this often accompanies myopathic features and can be misdiagnosed as myopathy.

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References

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