K. Osserman, G. Genkins
Jan 1, 1966
Citations
2
Influential Citations
68
Citations
Journal
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Abstract
Our original communication in 1952 describing the use of edrophonium (Tensilon) chloride as a rapid diagnostic test for myasthenia gravis’ was soon followed by reports of its dual use in management and regulation of anticholinesterase drug therapy2 and in the differential diagnosis of crisis.’ Over the course of a decade, the test has proven t o be a simple, accurate. rapid and valuable tool in the clinical management of this difficult disease. In 1956< a further manuscript from The Mount Sinai Hospital suggested definitive changes in dosage schedules based on which one of the three tests was being used. Following this, there were a number of report,s in the literatures ’ illustrating the value of edrophoniiim chloride as a diagnost,ic aid. By the time of The Second International Symposium on Myasthenia Gravis in 1959, the edrophonium diagnostic test had received world-wide acceptance.’ Since then it continues to be used for diagnosis, management and differentiation of crisis. Specific instructions for its use regarding dosages, administration and timing are to be found only in extensive review articles on myasthenia gravis. In these reportsg and from personal communications with workers in t,he field, there appear to be no unanimous criteria for use of edrophonium. Each physician uses his own modification which has led to variable interpretation of responses. I t was felt that this would be a good point in time to reappraise the test, its various uses and the proper dosages which will give it maximum efficiency. We are now citing our experience based on more than 25,000 edrophonium tests.