Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome
| Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome | |
 | |
|---|---|
| Global view of a neuromuscular junction: 1. Axon 2. Motor end-plate 3. Muscle fiber 4. Myofibril | |
| ICD-10 | G73.1 |
| ICD-9 | 358.1 |
| DiseasesDB | 4030 |
| MedlinePlus | 000710 |
| MeSH | D015624 |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Raviteja Guddeti, M.B.B.S. [2]
Synonyms and keywords: Eaton-Lambert syndrome; Lambert-Eaton syndrome; LEMS
Overview
Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a rare autoimmune disorder which affects the nerve-muscle (neuromuscular) junction.
The disease is usually observed in middle aged and older people but children and young people can be affected, as well. Due to the infrequency of the condition, the exact incidence is unknown.
Historical Perspective
Anderson was the first person to mention a case with possible clinical findings of LEMS in 1953, but Lambert, Eaton and Rooke were the first physicians to substantially describe the clinical and electrophysiological findings of the disease in 1966.[1][2] Auto-immune self antibodies to the pre-synaptic voltage gated calcium channels leads to neuromuscular block.
Classification
Pathophysiology
The disease is of autoimmune origin, that is, it is caused by antibodies that are directed against the antigens of the neuromuscular junction. In 1989, the previously anticipated antibodies were demonstrated to be directed against presynaptic calcium channels, which are located in neuromuscular junction (see synapse) and are responsible for the efficient release of acetylcholine. The antibodies prevent normal function of calcium channels and thus prevent the release of acetylcholine that is essential for normal nerve-muscle interactions, which maintain the normal muscle strength (see synapse, nerve, neuron, muscle).
There are also some patients that do not carry these antibodies in their serum samples and the exact cause of disease in these cases still remains to be determined. In cases with both LEMS and lung cancer (usually small cell type), the antibodies are suggested to be aimed at cancer cells and to bind and affect the antigens in neuromuscular junction accidentally. LEMS can be observed in other types of cancer including the transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
Approximately 50% of LEMS cases have an identifiable malignancy.
Causes
LEMS is usually a solitary diagnosis but lung cancer (small-cell histology) may accompany the disease in some cases. It may also be associated with cancers such as lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, T-cell leukemia, non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, and thymoma.
Differentiating Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome from other Diseases
Both the etiology and the clinical findings of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome may resemble myasthenia gravis, but there are many substantial differences between clinical presentations and pathogenetic features of two disorders. In patients with affected ocular and respiratory muscles, the involvement is not as severe as myasthenia gravis.
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Possible complications include:
- Difficulty breathing, including respiratory failure
- Difficulty swallowing
- Infections, such as pneumonia
- Injuries from falls and problems with coordination
The symptoms of Lambert-Eaton syndrome may improve by treating the underlying disease, suppressing the immune system, or removing the antibodies. However, not everyone responds well to treatment.
Diagnosis
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Weakness or loss of movement that can be more or less severe, including:
- Difficulty chewing
- Difficulty climbing stairs
- Difficulty lifting objects
- Difficulty talking
- Drooping head
- Need to use hands to get up from sitting or lying positions
- Swallowing difficulty, gagging, or choking
- Vision changes such as:
- Blurry vision
- Double vision
- Problems keeping a steady gaze
Symptoms related to the autonomic nervous system usually occur, and include:
- Blood pressure changes
- Dizziness upon standing
- Dry mouth
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
- Antibodies to calcium channels
- Incremental response in repetitive nerve stimulation - incremental response is an increased response of muscle fibers to very high frequencies of electrical stimulation. Observed increase in the response of muscle fibers proves that there is a difficulty with the release of acetylcholine and this difficulty can be overwhelmed by intensive stimulation.
Imaging Findings
- There are no [imaging study] findings associated with [disease name].
- [Imaging study 1] is the imaging modality of choice for [disease name].
- On [imaging study 1], [disease name] is characterized by [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
- [Imaging study 2] may demonstrate [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Chest X-ray
- Chest x-ray for a possible lung malignancy
Other Diagnostic Studies
- [Disease name] may also be diagnosed using [diagnostic study name].
- Findings on [diagnostic study name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Treatment
Treatment
The main goals of treatment are to:
- Identify and treat any underlying disorders, such as lung cancer
- Give treatment to help with the weakness
Corticosteroids, azathioprine and 3,4-diaminopyridine are used in treatment of LEMS with limited success. In some cases with a progressive and intractable course, plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin can be tried.
A treatment called plasma exchange usually improves symptoms. Plasma exchange involves removing blood plasma from the body and replacing it with donated plasma. This helps to make sure that any harmful proteins (antibodies) that are interfering with nerve function are removed from the body.
Plasmapheresis may also be effective. During this treatment, the blood is removed from the body. The plasma is separated, the antibodies are removed, and the plasma is returned to the body.
Medications that suppress the immune response, such as prednisone, may improve symptoms in some cases. Medications may also include:
- Anticholinesterase medications such as neostigmine or pyridostigmine (although these are not very effective when given alone)
- 3,4 diaminopyridine works by blocking K+ channel efflux in nerve terminal so that action potential duration is increased. Ca2+ channels can then be open for longer time and allow greater acetylcholine release to stimulate muscle at end plate.
Medical Therapy
- There is no treatment for [disease name]; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care.
- The mainstay of therapy for [disease name] is [medical therapy 1] and [medical therapy 2].
- [Medical therapy 1] acts by [mechanism of action 1].
- Response to [medical therapy 1] can be monitored with [test/physical finding/imaging] every [frequency/duration].
Surgery
- Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for [disease name].
- [Surgical procedure] in conjunction with [chemotherapy/radiation] is the most common approach to the treatment of [disease name].
- [Surgical procedure] can only be performed for patients with [disease stage] [disease name].
Prevention
- There are no primary preventive measures available for [disease name].
- Effective measures for the primary prevention of [disease name] include [measure1], [measure2], and [measure3].
- Once diagnosed and successfully treated, patients with [disease name] are followed-up every [duration]. Follow-up testing includes [test 1], [test 2], and [test 3].
References
- ↑ Template:WhoNamedIt
- ↑ E. H. Lambert, L. M. Eaton, E. D. Rooke. Defect of neuromuscular conduction associated with malignant neoplasms. American Journal of Physiology, Bethesda, Maryland, 1956, 187: 612-613.
Template:PNS diseases of the nervous system
de:Lambert-Eaton-Rooke-Syndrom Template:WH Template:WikiDoc Sources