How to Test for Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia Gravis comes from the Latin and Greek term meaning "grave muscle weakness." It is a neuromuscular disorder caused by an abnormal immune response. In normal brain activity, a neurotransmitter substance called acetylcholine binds with acetylcholine receptors to create muscle contractions of the eyes, eyelids and other facial muscles. In Myasthenia Gravis, this transmission does not take place due to the body's own immune system mistakenly attacking itself. This autoimmune activity is most often caused by a deformed thymus gland or a benign tumor of the thymus gland called thymomas. Myasthenia Gravis occurs in both males and females and in all ethnic groups. Younger women under age 40 and males over age 60 seem to be more susceptible. Myasthenia Gravis of the eyelid is sometimes diagnosed by a procedure called an edrophonium test (tensilon).

Things You'll Need

• Electrocardiogram
• Automatic External Defibrillator
• 1 dose of Atropine
• 10 milligrams of Tensilon

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Monitor the patient's heart rate at all times with an electrocardiogram and have the dose of atropine and other resuscitative equipment readily available to administer in the case of bradycardic activity or atrial fibrillation.

• 2

  Administer an initial test injection dose of 2 milligrams of Tensilon intravenously. The purpose of the test dose is to observe how well the patient tolerates the drug.

• 3

  Leave the needle in place and observe the patient for adverse reactions for 30 seconds. The patient could become bradycardic, develop hives or experience other adverse activity. In the case of adverse reactions begin stabilization efforts immediately.

• 4

  Administer the other 8 milligrams of the Tensilon intravenously after 30 seconds. Tensilon should only be administered if there are no signs of stress on the patient.

• 5

  Observe the muscle in question. If the muscle remains weak, the results are negative. (The patient may feel an increased sensation of the muscle but this is only subjective.) If increased muscle activity is observed for a short period of time, the test results are positive and you have a diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis.