ABSTRACT
Disorders of neuromuscular transmission produce symptomatic weakness that predominates in certain muscle groups and typically fluctuates in response to effort and rest. The diagnosis of myasthenia gravis and other disorders of neuromuscular transmission is primarily based on the clinical history and examination findings demonstrating this distinctive pattern of weakness. Laboratory confirmation of the clinical diagnosis may be obtained using pharmacologic, electrophysiologic, and (for certain neuromuscular junction disorders) serologic tests. The diagnostic examinations used to evaluate patients with suspected disorders of neuromuscular transmission are reviewed in this chapter.
