[Anesthesia for transsternal thymectomy in myasthenia gravis]. / Anesthésie pour thymectomie trans-sternale dans la myasthénie grave.

Twenty-seven patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (moderate, severe and acute fulminating forms) who underwent thymectomy were studied. The effects of several anesthetic agents were analyzed with special attention being given to immunologic considerations. The authors conclude that the association of ketamine, tiapride, droperidol, fentanil and nitrous oxide allowed fast recovery of consciousness and spontaneous respiration, and made safe extubation possible before leaving the operating room.

[Vitiligo, hyperthyroidism, periodic paralysis and myasthenia gravis. Report of a case]. / Vitiligo, hipertireoidismo, paralisia periódica e miastenia grave. Relato de caso.

A 25 year old with vitiligo por 6 years now. For one year has being presenting hyperthyroidism, myasthenia gravis and periodic paralysis. The normalization of the thyroid function was followed by a significant improvement of the myasthenic syndrome that did not interfere with the paralytical attacks.

[Corticosteroids in the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Study of 12 cases with review of the literature]. / Corticosteroides no tratamento da miastenia grave. Estudo de 12 casos com revisão da literatura

The results of treatment of myasthenia gravis in 12 patients are reported. There were 10 cases with severe generalized form and two cases with moderate generalized form, one of which associated with polymyositis. Seven patients had prior thymectomy and one of them had a thymoma. All the patients were receiving anticholinesterase drugs with poor response or without any response. One patient received a short, intensive course of dexametazone, and other patient used prednisone after a more prolonged dexametazone course. The remaining patients received prednisone, always beginning with high (100 mg) alternate day oral single-doses. This therapy has been maintained for a period thought to be sufficient to suppress the symptoms, as well as to allow remission or an improvement for remaining even when prednisone had been slowly decreased, after a scheduled of one to two years of treatment.