Eosinophilia, myositis, and myasthenia gravis associated with a thymoma

Muscle Nerve. 2006 Aug;34(2):242-5. doi: 10.1002/mus.20526.

Abstract

Hypereosinophilia has been associated with a wide variety of systemic disorders, including myositis. Myositis develops in a minority of patients with myasthenia gravis associated with a thymoma. We present a patient who developed a life-threatening myopathy in which testing demonstrated the concurrence of hypereosinophilia, myositis, and myasthenia gravis associated with thymoma. Thymoma-associated T-cell abnormalities may well have contributed to this rare association. This case underscores the need to reevaluate constantly the presumed cause of clinical complaints, as more than one cause may be present.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Blood Cell Count
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Eosinophilia / complications*
  • Eosinophilia / pathology
  • Eye Movements
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Myasthenia Gravis / complications*
  • Myasthenia Gravis / drug therapy
  • Myasthenia Gravis / pathology
  • Myositis / complications*
  • Myositis / diagnosis
  • Myositis / drug therapy
  • Myositis / pathology
  • Neural Conduction
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Peritonitis / etiology
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Pyridostigmine Bromide / therapeutic use
  • Thymoma / complications*
  • Thymoma / pathology
  • Thymus Neoplasms / complications*
  • Thymus Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Pyridostigmine Bromide
  • Prednisone