Isaacs’ Syndrome Associated With Acetylcholine Receptor Antibodies
Developed After Removal of Malignant Thymoma

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 28(3); 2010 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2010;28(3): 203-205.

악성흉선종 수술 후 아세틸콜린수용체 항체와 연관되어 발생한 Issac증후군

서진영, 신병수 서만욱 김영현 오선영

전북대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

Isaacs’ Syndrome Associated With Acetylcholine Receptor Antibodies Developed After Removal of Malignant Thymoma

Jin-Young Seo

Department of Neurology, Chonbuk National University College of Medicine, Jeonju, Korea

Abstract

Isaacs’ syndrome is a rare and heterogeneous syndrome of continuous muscle fiber activity that originates from peripheral nerves. We report a 56-year-old male patient who showed symptoms of Isaacs’ syndrome after the removal of a malignant thymoma. Needle electromyography revealed spontaneously occurring repetitive myokymic discharge in the affected muscles. Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies were significantly elevated, but clinical and electrophysiologic findings did not indicate the presence of myasthenia gravis. We deduce that in Isaacs’ syndrome, raised AChR antibodies may facilitate rather than inhibit cholinergic action. Key Words: Isaacs’s syndrome, Acetylcholine receptor antibody