Clinical Diagnosis of Neuromuscular Junction Disorders

Joo, In Soo

Korean Journal of Neuromuscular Disorders 2009;1(1):51-57.

In Soo Joo

Department of Neurology, Ajou University College of Medicine, Suwon, Korea

신경근육접합질환의 임상진단

주인수

아주대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

Abstract

The neuromuscular junction is a specialized myoneural synapse that is a target for a variety of disorders including autoimmune origin. Although myasthenia gravis, the most common autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorder, is characterized by weakness of muscles that increases with repetitive use and improves with rest, disorders of the neuromuscular junction have a wide range of clinical presentations. This frequently poses a diagnostic challenge to clinicians. The exact diagnosis of neuromuscular junction disorders requires detailed history and physical examination, several pharmacological methods, neurophysiologic testing, and serologic or immunologic tests. The clinical presentation determines which diagnostic tests should be used in patients with these disorders.