TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Transcervical Thymectomy A1 - Sihvo, Eero A1 - Keshavjee, Shaf A2 - Sugarbaker, David J. A2 - Bueno, Raphael A2 - Colson, Yolonda L. A2 - Jaklitsch, Michael T. A2 - Krasna, Mark J. A2 - Mentzer, Steven J. A2 - Williams, Marcia A2 - Adams, Ann PY - 2015 T2 - Adult Chest Surgery, 2e AB - Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease mediated by anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies (AChrab) directed against the acetylcholine receptor region of the post-synaptic membrane. Blocking and accelerated degradation of acetylcholine receptors lead to impaired neuromuscular transmission and muscle weakness.1 MG has a predilection for the ocular and bulbar muscles, but generalized proximal muscle weakness is also common. Fatigable weakness is the hallmark of MG and the disorder is diagnosed by the clinical presentation, abnormal single-fiber electromyography, repetitive nerve stimulation tests, and elevated ACh and/or anti-MuSK antibodies. Abnormalities of the thymus gland are commonly found in these patients. Of MG patients, 10% to 15% have thymoma. Lymphoid thymic hyperplasia is present in about 70%2 Significant data exist to support an immunopathological role of the thymus in the development of autoimmune MG.3 SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accesssurgery.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1105847419 ER -