Myasthenia Gravis Revealing Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Abstract

Introduction: Myasthenia gravis is a rare autoimmune disease caused by autoantibodies directed against the synapses of the neuromuscular junction. Patient and methods: We report the case of a young patient with myasthenia gravis associated with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Results: A 22-year-old patient presented with a 2-month history of severe weakness associated with muscle fatigability and intermittent ptosis without dysphonia or respiratory signs. Clinical examination revealed generalized myasthenia. The EMG did not show post-synaptic block, and anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies were elevated at 3 nmol/l (normal ?0.3 nmol/l). CT of the thorax showed an anterior medial mass. Immunohistochemistry of the mass revealed mixed cellularity Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Conclusion: The association of lymphomas with myasthenia gravis has been rarely reported.

Keywords

• myasthenia gravis
• paraneoplastic
• hodgkin's lymphoma