Focal form of acquired myasthenia gravis with megaesophagus in a Yorkshire terrier dog

Hahn, Tae-Yeon; Kang, Min-Hee; Eom, Ki-Dong; Park, Hee-Myung

doi:2014.54.1.59

Korean J Vet Res > Volume 54(1); 2014 > Article

Case report

Korean Journal of Veterinary Research 2014;54(1):59-62.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14405/kjvr.2014.54.1.59 Published online March 25, 2014.

Focal form of acquired myasthenia gravis with megaesophagus in a Yorkshire terrier dog

Tae-Yeon Hahn¹, Min-Hee Kang¹, Ki-Dong Eom², Hee-Myung Park¹

¹Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University
²Department of Veterinary Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University

Abstract

A 12-year-old, castrated male Yorkshire terrier dog presented with frequent regurgitations that had begun 45 days earlier and become more progressive. Radiographs revealed an air-trap region behind the cranial esophageal sphincter muscle in the esophagus and esophagographies with barium contrast showed mild esophageal dilation with decreased motility. Esophageal motility increased within 5 min of neostigmine methylsulfate administration and acetylcholine receptor antibodies titer increased to beyond the normal range. Based on these findings, acquired myasthenia gravis with focal form was diagnosed, making this the first such case diagnosed by an acetylcholine receptor antibody test in Korea.

Key Words: acetylcholine receptor antibody titer, dog, focal form, megaesophagus, myasthenia gravis