Abstract
Introduction: All descriptions of the Lambert-Eaton syndrome are based on symptomatic patients. We incidentally encountered electromyographic evidence of this syndrome in a patient being studied for another reason. The patient had controlled hypothyroidism and smoked for 9 pack-years but never had symptoms of weakness or had evidence of cancer. Methods: Detailed electrophysiological and serological evaluations were undertaken in this study. Results: Neuromuscular transmission tests were consistent with a presynaptic disorder. Autoantibodies specific for P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC) were detected in the serum and persisted throughout 7 years of follow-up. Multiple IgG markers of thyrogastric autoimmunity also were detected. Conclusions: This demonstration of asymptomatic Lambert-Eaton syndrome persisting for 8 years provided novel insight into the natural history of the disorder. It is plausible that patients with a subclinical syndrome would have abrupt neuromuscular decompensation when challenged with medications that compromise the safety factor for synaptic transmission.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 764-767 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Muscle and Nerve |
Volume | 49 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2014 |
Keywords
- Lambert-Eaton syndrome
- Myasthenic syndrome
- Organ-specific autoimmunity
- Pernicious anemia
- Voltage-gated calcium channels
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physiology
- Clinical Neurology
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Physiology (medical)