Myasthenia gravis: the otolaryngologist's perspective

Abstract

Myasthenia gravis is a motor neuron disease caused by the presence of antibodies against acetylcholine receptors that interfere with the proper function of the neuromuscular junction. Twenty percent of patients with myasthenia gravis present some type of bulbar deficits such as rhinolalia, dysphagia or dysphonia as the first symptom of disease. We report 5 patients with deficits that illustrate different aspects of the disease. Our role as otolaryngologists is to establish a diagnosis or to provide a solution for the respiratory failure caused by chronic aspiration.