NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASE MIMICKING MYASTHENIA GRAVIS IN A NIGERIAN FEMALE ADOLESCENT: COULD THIS BE NEMALINE ROD DISEASE?

Authors

O.A. Oyinlade, I.A. Lagunju, and B.E. Adebayo

Correspondents

Dr. O.A Oyinlade
Neurology unit,
Department of Paediatrics,
College of Medicine,
University of Ibadan/University College Hospital,
Ibadan.
E mail: ladealex2005@yahoo.com

Affiliation of Authors

Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan/University College Hospital, Ibadan

ABSTRACT

Background : Nemaline rod disease is a congenital myopathy, presentation of which may mimic myasthenia gravis.

Methods : We report a suspected case of nemaline rod disease in a female adolescent who presented with features similar to myasthenia gravis but failed to respond effectively to its conventional management. She had features of respiratory failure and cardiomyopathy

Result: Patient had a turbulent clinical course and finally succumbed to illness on the fifth day of admission.

Conclusion: This report is meant to sensitize child neurologists and general paediatricians on the need to have a broad spectrum of considerations in the management of suspected myasthenia gravis, especially when response to anticholinesterase is poor.

Keywords: Nemaline disease, Myasthenia gravis, Anticholinesterase

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