Thymectomy in myasthenia gravis

Author:

Rath Jakob1,Moser Bernhard23,Zimprich Fritz1

Affiliation:

1. Department of Neurology

2. Department of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria

3. ESTS Thymic Working Group

Abstract

Purpose of review Thymectomy has long been used in the treatment of patients with myasthenia gravis and antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor. However, its effectiveness has only been proven a few years ago in a randomized controlled trial in patients under the age of 65. Here, we review the current literature focusing on patient subgroups, potential biomarkers for outcome prediction and the choice of surgical approach. Recent findings Long-term follow-up studies after thymectomy confirmed that the benefits regarding clinical outcome parameters and a reduced need for immunosuppressive treatment persist. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion of patients in real-world cohorts do not reach complete stable remission after thymectomy indicating that the underlying autoimmune process is sustained in the periphery. Our understanding of the responsible mechanisms has improved with recent studies. Presently, outcome data after thymectomy in several patient subgroups, such as those aged over 50 years, those with juvenile onset or those with purely ocular symptoms are limited and have been the focus of recent research activities. Similarly, biomarkers guiding an appropriate patient selection for thymectomy are under investigation. A number of cohort studies demonstrated that minimal invasive surgical techniques such as extended robotic thymectomy lead to similar positive outcomes as a transsternal approach with potentially fewer short-term adverse effects. Summary Thymectomy is an effective treatment option in adult patients with early onset acetylcholine-receptor positive myasthenia gravis but uncertainty remains with regard to certain patient subgroups.

Publisher

Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)

Subject

Neurology (clinical),Neurology

Reference50 articles.

Cited by 1 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3