Neurológia pre prax 3/2012

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome in a child

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome is a rare autoimunne presynaptic disorder of neuromuscular transmission. It is characterised by muscle weakness, hyporeflexia and autonomic dysfunction. The syndrome is often associated with small cell lung carcinomas. It is a disease of middle and older age. Rare cases have been reported in children. We present a 12-year boy with abnormal gait, slight bilateral ptosis, hyporeflexia, xerostomia and vitiligo without evidence of neoplasms. High- frequency repetitive nerve stimulation with a large increment and a P/Q- type calcium- channel antibodies level confirmed the diagnosis of the syndrome. Corticosteroids, azathioprine and pyridostigmine improved patient´s weakness.

Keywords: Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, weakness, xerostomia, calcium- channels, increment, vitiligo.