Lambert-Eaton Syndrome

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Superficial anterior muscles

Lambert-Eaton Syndrome

Alternative Names:

Myasthenic syndrome
Symptoms:

Weakness/paralysis that varies in severity
- Drooping head
- Difficulty climbing stairs
- Difficulty lifting objects
- Need to use hands to arise from sitting or lying positions
- Difficulty talking
- Difficulty chewing
Swallowing difficulty, gagging, or choking
Vision changes
- Blurry vision
- Difficulty maintaining steady gaze

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Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Blood pressure abnormalities
Dizziness upon standing
Dry mouth

Signs and tests:

An examination shows weakness or paralysis that improves with activity. Reflexes may be decreased. There may be muscle atrophy (loss of muscle tissue).

A Tensilon test can be positive. A baseline muscle-strength evaluation is performed. After Tensilon (edrophonium) or other short-acting neurotransmitter is given, there may be a noticeable improvement of function.

EMG and nerve conduction velocity tests may confirm the diagnosis, with improved function as contraction is prolonged or with repetitive stimulation.