Myastheniform syndrome secondary to thymoma. Case report

Abstract

Introduction: thymoma represents approximately 20 % of mediastinal neoplasms. This tumor is relatively uncommon in the general population, and its study is of great importance due to its paraneoplastic manifestations; like the case in question (myastheniform syndrome). The majority of patients with thymoma are between 40 and 60 years of age, highlighting the novelty of this case with diagnosis at an early age. There are no known risk factors, although there is a strong association with myasthenia gravis and other paraneoplastic syndromes. Myasthenia gravis is the most common disorder associated with thymoma.

Objective: to describe the case of a young man with myastheniform syndrome secondary to a thymoma at the Military Hospital of Matanzas.

Case presentation: 18-year-old male patient with a history of health, who comes to the consultation because, after pharyngotonsillitis, he presents with difficulty swallowing, easy fatigue, with decreased muscle strength, with marked signs of weakness, upon physical examination neurological system, responds to the interrogation with a hidden voice "Positive" Barré and Minganzini maneuver towards the left upper limb and right lower limb. Left patellar osteotendinous hyporeflexia. Babinski and positive substitutes in lower limbs. Left orbicularis paralysis and presence of bilateral horizontal nystagmus. He is diagnosed with a myastheniform syndrome, the cause being detected as the presence of a thymoma by chest tomography. Thymectomy is performed and the patient's recovery is evident.

Conclusions: myastheniform syndrome as a form of presentation of a thymoma is rare at an early age, so a timely diagnosis favors the recovery of these patients.