Myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barré cooccurrence syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to review all cases in literature in which the clinical manifestations of myasthenia gravis (MG) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) were presented in the same patient including a new case of our own and identify the clinical characteristics and possible mechanisms of this syndrome.

METHODS

We reviewed 12 reports in which 13 cases were diagnosed as MG and GBS. The clinical manifestations of the 13 cases and our new case were analyzed in detail to show the characteristics of this kind of syndrome.

RESULTS

Of all the cases, 5 females and 9 males, 6 of them were Chinese; 3 were Americans; 3 were Israelis; 1 was white and one was a Frenchman. The age of seven patients was no more than 45 years old. They all had the symptoms of extrocular muscle weakness. Nerve conduction and RNS abnormal were seen in all tested cases. Acetylcholine receptor antibody was positive in all tested patients. Prognosis was good in 8 of the 11 recorded patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Although extremely rare, MG and GBS may present in the same patient with variant characteristics. The typical clinical characteristics of GBS and MG may be helpful for the diagnosis of future possible cases.