II. Associated Conditions
- Cancer (esp. Small Cell Lung Cancer) in 50% of cases
III. Pathophysiology
- Similar to Myasthenia Gravis (in that Acetylcholine is not functional at Synapse)
- Calcium channel antibodies block Acetylcholine release from presynaptic terminals
IV. Symptoms
- Proximal Muscle Weakness and Fatigue (better with use)
- Thighs and hips are most affected (contrast with initial bulbar symptoms of myasthenia)
V. Management
- Plasmaphoresis
- Tumor resection
- Avoid provocative agents
- Neuromuscular blocking agents
- Aminoglycosides
- Intravenous Contrast dye