SEX AND AGE IN MYASTHENIA GRAVIS AS CRITICAL FACTORS IN INCIDENCE AND REMISSION

Abstract

Since the communication on removal of the thymus as treatment for myasthenia gravis was presented by Blalock¹ in 1941, there have been a number of other reports on this procedure as a therapy in myasthenia gravis. Some of these have been enthusiastic as to the benefits achieved by removal of thymic tissue, particularly when it was not associated with tumor, in producing complete or partial remission in this disease. Geoffrey Keynes has reported the largest series of such operations, nearly 200. The first 100 of his patients were studied in considerable detail by Ross,² who reported that the operation benefited 86 patients. There was statistical evidence that the sooner the operation was done after the onset of the disease the more favorable the result. On the other hand, Eaton and Clagett³ reported little statistical difference in remission rate between 70 patients treated by this operation and their