Myasthenic crisis as an initial presentation of myasthenia gravis in an 81-year-old following endoscopic myotomy for Zenker’s diverticulum

Abstract

In this article, we present the case of a patient with previously undiagnosed myasthenia gravis who underwent an endoscopic procedure for Zenker’s diverticulum. The patient was readmitted due to ongoing dysphagia and severe respiratory distress caused by myasthenic crisis. This case demonstrates that myasthenia gravis, although rare, can occur in elderly patients and present with other sequelae that may mask the underlying diagnosis.

KEYWORDS:

• Myasthenia gravis
• myasthenic crisis
• Zenker’s diverticulum
• ZPOEM

Disclosure statement/Funding

The authors report no funding or conflicts of interest. The patient gave consent for this case report to be published.

ANSWERS FOR CLINICAL QUESTIONS

Question 1, D; Question 2, C.