Approach to Patients with Acquired Neuromuscular Junction Diseases

doi:2019.21.2.37

J Electrodiagn Neuromuscul Dis > Volume 21(2); 2019 > Article

Review Article

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2019;21(2):37-42.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18214/jkaem.2019.21.2.37 Published online December 31, 2019.

Approach to Patients with Acquired Neuromuscular Junction Diseases

Received: 29 April 2019 • Revised: 16 September 2019 • Accepted: 1 October 2019

Abstract

Neuromuscular junction (NMJ) diseases include myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, botulism and congenital myasthenic syndromes. NMJ diseases have a wide range of clinical presentations. A common feature of these conditions is muscle weakness that predominates in certain muscle groups and fluctuates in response to effort and rest. The diagnosis of NMJ diseases is established by neurologic manifestations, serologic tests and neurophysiologic tests. The clinical presentation determines which diagnostic tests should be used in patients with these diseases. This review summarizes the approach to patients with acquired NMJ diseases.

Key Words: neuromuscular junction diseases, neurologic manifestations, serologic tests, neurophysiology

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