Diagnosis of myasthenia gravis is done by using
The question is asking which test is used for diagnosis. Common diagnostic tests include the Tensilon (edrophonium) test, which is a short-acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. When administered, it temporarily increases acetylcholine levels, which should improve muscle strength in patients with MG if they respond positively. Another test is the repetitive nerve stimulation test, which can show decremental response in muscle action potentials. Also, single-fiber electromyography (SFEMG) is more sensitive but less specific. Blood tests for AChR antibodies are also used.
So the correct answer is likely the Tensilon test. Let me check the options again. The user hasn't provided the options, but based on standard exams, the options might include Tensilon test, SFEMG, AChR antibody test, and maybe others like EMG. The Tensilon test is a classic diagnostic tool for MG.
Wait, but sometimes the AChR antibody test is also a key diagnostic. However, the Tensilon test is the immediate diagnostic procedure. The antibody test is confirmatory but not always positive in all cases. SFEMG is more specific but not as commonly used. So the most direct answer here is the Tensilon test. The other options would be incorrect because they either aren't the primary test or are different types of assessments. For example, EMG might show decremental response, but that's part of the diagnostic workup, not the initial test. So the correct answer is the Tensilon test.
**Core Concept**
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by autoantibodies against acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) at the neuromuscular junction. Diagnosis relies on clinical testing that confirms impaired neuromuscular transmission, such as the **Tensilon (edrophonium) test**, which temporarily improves muscle strength by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The **Tensilon test** is a diagnostic gold standard for MG. Edrophonium, a short-acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, prevents acetylcholine breakdown, increasing its availability at the neuromuscular junction. In MG, this transiently improves muscle strength, confirming the diagnosis. A positive response is rapid and dramatic, typically resolving within 5β10 minutes. This test is particularly useful when clinical suspicion is high but antibody testing is inconclusive.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** *Single-fiber electromyography (SFEMG)* is highly sensitive but not the first-line diagnostic tool for MG. It measures neuromuscular jitter and is more specific but less accessible.
**Option B:** *Repetitive nerve stimulation* detects decremental responses in muscle action potentials but is less specific than the Tensilon test and has lower sensitivity in early disease.
**Option