Myasthenia gravis (MG): differential diagnosis

Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS)

• This does not present with initial ocular or isolated upper limb weakness as in MG
• LEMS does not progress caudally as in MG

Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS

Mitochondrial diseases

Myopathies

Other neuromuscular differentials

Other neurological differentials

Systemic differentials

Drug-induced MG

MG overdiagnosis: causes

References

1. Sathasivam S. Diagnosis and management of myasthenia gravis. Prog Neurol Psychiatry 2014; 18:6-14.
2. Thanvi BR, Lo TC. Update on myasthenia gravis. Postgrad Med J 2004; 80:690-700.
3. Wirtz PW, Sotodeh M, Nijnuis M, et al. Difference of distribution of muscle weakness between myasthenia gravis and the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. JNNP 2002; 73:766-768.
4. Garg N, Yiannikas C, Hardy TA, et al. Late presentations of congenital myasthenic syndromes: how many do we miss? Muscle Nerve 2016; 54:721-727. 
5. Beeson D. Congenital myasthenic syndromes. ACNR 2005; 4:12-13.
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Related checklists

• Myasthenia gravis (MG): classification
• Myasthenia gravis (MG): drug triggers
• Myasthenia gravis (MG): non-drug triggers