Myasthenia gravis associated with a pelvic follicular lymphoma

An 81-year-old woman presented with neck weakness, dysarthria, dysphasia and left-sided ptosis. Myasthenia gravis (MG) was strongly suspected. Voltage gated calcium channel (VGCC) antibodies, associated with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), were negative. Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody level was 536 nmol/L and diagnosis of MG was confirmed. Imaging revealed a pelvic mass and subsequent biopsy confirmed a pelvic follicular lymphoma. Our searches revealed this to be the first documented case of MG associated with a pelvic follicular lymphoma. She underwent radiotherapy to treat the lymphoma and received both pyridostigmine and immunosuppression to treat the MG. Her AChR antibody level decreased to 38 nmol/L and her MG symptoms resolved aside from head drop which is continuing to improve. Her lymphoma is now in remission. We have presented a case with a successful outcome, which highlights the importance of screening for lymphoma and thymoma in new presentations of MG.

Automated summary

An 81-year-old woman presented with symptoms suggestive of myasthenia gravis, but was found to also have a pelvic follicular lymphoma. After receiving radiotherapy and medication, her MG symptoms improved and the lymphoma went into remission, highlighting the importance of screening for other underlying conditions in MG patients.