Myasthenia gravis appearing after thymectomy heralding recurrent thymoma. Issue 3 (4th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beckers, Paul A. J.; Mercelis, Rudy; Heyman, Stijn; Verheuen, Lies; Lauwers, Patrick; Hendriks, Jeroen M.; Van Schil, Paul E.
• Is Part Of: Acta chirurgica belgica. Volume 119:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 195
• Page End: 197
• Publication Date: 2019-05-04
• Subjects: Myasthenia gravis -- thymoma -- thymectomy -- recurrent disease -- sternotomy; Surgery -- Periodicals; General Surgery; Chirurgie -- Périodiques; Surgery; Chirurgie (geneeskunde); Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1080/00015458.2018.1438556
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-5458

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Thirty to fifty percent of thymoma patients develop myasthenia gravis (MG). In 1.5–28% of cases, MG appears many years after removal of a thymoma. Patients and methods: We present a case report of a 72-year-old female who presented with MG four months after total thymectomy. Results: A 72-year-old female patient presents with MG four months after total thymectomy. Imaging revealed a PET-positive nodule anterior to the superior vena cava. By median sternotomy, the nodule was removed at our hospital. Pathology confirmed a recurrent B2/B3 thymoma with R0 resection. No adjuvant therapy was given. Large population studies show the appearance of new-onset MG associated with recurrent thymoma in 3% of cases. Conclusions: New-onset MG postthymectomy heralds recurrent disease in 3% of cases. Thorough screening is needed in such patients.