Summary
This prospective study followed-up fifty-six thymectomised patients with thymoma-and non thymoma-associated generalized myasthenia gravis for at least 2 years. To study the effect of thymectomy, no immunosuppression was given until needed after surgery. Forty-one percent patients with thymitis went into spontaneous remission, 37% after additional immunosuppression. Only 11% of patients with thymoma or an atrophic thymus went into spontaneous remission. This group proved difficult to be treated as within the remaining 89% over 40% improved only partially in their symptoms with immunosuppression. Within all groups it was possible to withhold without adverse effects immunosuppression until there was a definite clinical need for therapy. Early diagnosis of spontaneous remission improves considerably the quality of life, especially in young patients.
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Nix, W.A., Große-Höötmann, H., Kirchner, T., Marx, A. (1997). Management of Thymectomised Myasthenic Patients. In: Marx, A., Müller-Hermelink, H.K. (eds) Epithelial Tumors of the Thymus. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0033-3_47
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0033-3_47
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