Midbrain myasthenia: fatigable ptosis, 'lid twitch' sign, and ophthalmoparesis from a dorsal midbrain glioma

Neurology. 1992 Apr;42(4):917-9. doi: 10.1212/wnl.42.4.917.

Abstract

A collection of symptoms and signs indistinguishable from ocular myasthenia can be caused by an intracranial mass. We illustrate this condition with the case of an adolescent girl with neurofibromatosis type 1 and a dorsal midbrain astrocytoma. At presentation, she had fatigable ptosis, upgaze paresis, and a positive "lid twitch" sign. Radiation therapy resulted in marked reduction of her signs, confirming that the muscle fatigue was central in origin. We discuss the possible mechanisms of this central fatigability.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Blepharoptosis / etiology*
  • Blepharoptosis / physiopathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications*
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Female
  • Glioma / complications*
  • Glioma / diagnosis
  • Glioma / radiotherapy
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Mesencephalon*
  • Muscular Diseases / etiology*
  • Muscular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Ophthalmoplegia / etiology*
  • Ophthalmoplegia / physiopathology