Life-threatening Misdiagnosis of Bulbar Type Onset Myasthenia Gravis as a Subacute Thyroiditis

Abstract

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease that can mimic a variety of symptoms leading to a delay in diagnosis and treatment. We report the case of 48 year-old woman, in whom initial presentation of MG with predominance of bulbar symptoms was mistaken for thyroid disease complications. Subsequently, correct diagnosis and optimal management resulted on significant improvement of her functional state. We discuss the importance of considering MG as one of the potential differential diagnoses among cases of new onset or recurrent unexplained bulbar symptoms.