A Rare Cause of Acute Respiratory Failure: Myastenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) which is an autoimmune disorder, characterized by fluctuating weakness and rapid fatigue in the skeletal muscles. The usual initial complaint is a muscle weakness but can also present as respiratory failure, as in our case. MG is treated with medications such as Acetylcholine-esterase (AChE) inhibitors or immunosuppressants and in selected cases, thymectomy. Here, we present a case of 72 year old male with MG, who admitted to emergency department with respiratory failure and difficulty in swallowing