Can myasthenia gravis affect the tongue?

Can myasthenia gravis affect the tongue?

Tongue and masticatory weakness are due to hypoglossal and trigeminal nerve involvement respectively [6, 7]. As with our patient, weakness of the oropharyngeal muscles produces dysphagia, and this is a major cause of morbidity in myasthenia [8].

How does myasthenia gravis affect the mouth?

Lack of muscle strength in the lower jaw muscle, especially following a sustained chewing effort, may cause the mouth to hang open.

What are bulbar symptoms of myasthenia gravis?

Bulbar weakness tends to give speech a slurred, nasal quality. It also can lead to frequent choking spells and make eating unpleasant and tiresome. Limb weakness alone is highly uncommon and can be seen in only 5% of MG patients. In some rare cases, weakness may spread to muscles in the chest that control breathing.

Is there atrophy in myasthenia gravis?

Abstract. Two cases of severe myasthenia gravis are described, with histological findings. Both cases showed severe neurogenic atrophy of the muscles of the tongue, with fatty pseudohypertrophy and a remarkable proliferation of terminal nerve fibres.

Can tongue atrophy be reversed?

Tongue muscle atrophy is common in MuSK-MG. It can be reversible in MuSK-MG even if it lasted several years. However, early initiation of intensive immunotherapy accelerates its recovery.

What causes tongue atrophy?

The tongue is continuously exposed to chemical, mechanical and physical stimuli that, when too strong or chronic, may cause atrophic lesions. Among these kind of aetiological factors are alcohol abuse, traumas and drug collateral effects.

What can cause tongue atrophy?

What is end stage myasthenia gravis?

The most serious complications of myasthenia gravis is a myasthenia crisis. This is a condition of extreme muscle weakness, particularly of the diaphragm and chest muscles that support breathing. Breathing may become shallow or ineffective.

What is tongue atrophy?

Atrophic glossitis is a condition characterised by absence of filiform or fungiform papillae on the dorsal surface of the tongue. Consequently, the ordinary texture and appearance of the dorsal tongue, determined by papillary protrusion, turns into a soft and smooth aspect.

What does atrophy feel like?

What does muscle atrophy feel like? If you have muscle atrophy in your limbs, you may feel tingling, numbness or weakness in your arms and legs. If you have atrophied muscles in your face or throat, your facial muscles may start feeling weak and you may find it difficult to speak or swallow.

What does an atrophic tongue look like?

Its symptoms typically include a glossy, shiny appearance on the dorsal surface of the tongue, sometimes with a bald or smooth area. The tongue may appear to have large polka dots. Burning of the tongue and discomfort may also result from glossitis.