Last modified: 2018-09-09
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) describes neuromuscular junction diseases caused by immunological mechanisms. There are two clinical forms of MG; ocular and generalized. Most patients with generalized MG have anti-AchR antibody, while 30-50% of patients with this antibody can not detect anti-MuSK antibodies. Anti-MuSK-positive MG is seen in more women, rare in childhood. Unlike other seropositive myasthenia gravis, it is heavier, facial and bulbar weakness is severe, and respiratory insufficiency crises can be seen in some cases. The response to conventional immunotherapy is usually not good. In recent years, case reports and small case series have been reported that rituximab treatment is effective in resistant MG cases. We aimed to share our significant clinical improvement experience with rituximab treatment in two cases of anti-MuSK positive myasthenia gravis that did not respond well to IVIG and steroid therapy and had bulb involvement.