Treatment of epilepsy in patients with myasthenia gravis: Is really harder than it looks?

J Clin Neurosci. 2017 Oct:44:353-356. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2017.06.067. Epub 2017 Jul 29.

Abstract

The relationship between myasthenia gravis (MG) and epilepsy has been rarely reported. As consequence, there are no specific guidelines for the management of these conditions when they mutually occur. We reported on three patients in whom epilepsy and MG are coexisting, but in different clinical settings. Two patients were treated with antiepileptic drugs which improved their symptoms. One patient has controlled the seizures after a successful anterior temporal lobectomy with no appreciable consequences to her MG. We discuss the difficulties in the management of epilepsy in patients with MG. In addition, we report on the first epileptic surgery in a MG patient, indicating that this surgical procedure as a safe option for the treatment of intractable epilepsy in patients with MG.

Keywords: Epilepsy; Management; Myasthenia gravis; Outcome; Surgery; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anterior Temporal Lobectomy*
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use*
  • Epilepsy / complications*
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy / surgery
  • Epilepsy / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Myasthenia Gravis / complications*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / drug therapy
  • Myasthenia Gravis / surgery
  • Myasthenia Gravis / therapy*

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants