Cocaine abuse, generalized myasthenia, complete external ophthalmoplegia, and pseudotonic pupil

Publication

Cocaine abuse, generalized myasthenia, complete external ophthalmoplegia, and pseudotonic pupil

Journal Paper/Review - Mar 1, 2001

Valmaggia Christophe, Gottlob I M

Units

Department of Ophthalmology

PubMed

11262695

Citation

Valmaggia C, Gottlob I. Cocaine abuse, generalized myasthenia, complete external ophthalmoplegia, and pseudotonic pupil. Strabismus 2001; 9:9-12.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Strabismus 2001; 9

Publication Date

Mar 1, 2001

Issn Print

0927-3972

Pages

9-12

Brief description/objective

We present the case of a 29-year-old woman with generalized myasthenia. Myasthenia with complete external ophthalmoplegia was unmasked by cocaine abuse. It was associated with changes of the pupillary motility, including light-near dissociation and positive 0.1% pilocarpine test. Treatment with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors improved the patient's condition rapidly, and led to complete normalization of extraocular movements and pupillary function. To our knowledge, this is the fourth case of cocaine-related myasthenia, and the first case of myasthenia with pseudotonic pupil.