Publications by authors named "Kamal R Chemali"

Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a connective tissue disorder arising from mutations in the TGF- β signaling pathway. The spectrum of clinical manifestations is broad, and includes vascular, skeletal, and craniofacial abnormalities, along with joint hypermobility. No evidence of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) in these patients has been reported.

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The National Institutes of Health hosted a workshop in 2019 to build consensus around the current state of understanding of the pathophysiology of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and to identify knowledge gaps that must be addressed to enhance clinical care of POTS patients through research. This second (of two) articles summarizes current knowledge gaps, and outlines the clinical and research priorities for POTS. POTS is a complex, multi-system, chronic disorder of the autonomic nervous system characterized by orthostatic intolerance and orthostatic tachycardia without hypotension.

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Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a chronic and often disabling disorder characterized by orthostatic intolerance with excessive heart rate increase without hypotension during upright posture. Patients often experience a constellation of other typical symptoms including fatigue, exercise intolerance and gastrointestinal distress. A typical patient with POTS is a female of child-bearing age, who often first displays symptoms in adolescence.

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Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy is FDA approved for the immune-mediated peripheral nerve disorders Guillain-Barre syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and multifocal motor neuropathy. Immunoglobulin therapy has been used increasingly with significant efficacy in the treatment of patients with disabling autoimmune forms of dysautonomia, which are most often small fiber (autonomic and/or sensory) polyneuropathies. It is recognized by most who treat these disorders, however, that patients with autonomic dysfunction treated with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy develop aseptic meningitis or severe lingering headache more frequently than other patient populations when this therapy is dosed in the traditional fashion.

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Background: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has recognized efficacy in autoimmune peripheral nerve disorders, but there has been limited study of the use of IVIG in autoimmune dysautonomias.

Study Question: To determine the efficacy and safety of IVIG in patients with disabling, refractory autoimmune dysautonomias, including patients with postural tachycardia syndrome and gastrointestinal dysmotility.

Study Design: Patients with one or more autonomic disorder(s) and persistent serological evidence for autoimmunity who were unable to work or attend school despite usual treatments for dysautonomia were treated with IVIG for at least 3 months at a dose of at least 1 gm/kg monthly.

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Introduction: Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease, which commonly presents with extraocular muscle weakness, eyelid ptosis, bulbar dysfunction, and proximal limb weakness. We report an unusual differential diagnosis for myasthenia gravis.

Case Report: A 56-year-old woman presented with worsening blurry vision, double vision, eyelid droopiness, slurred speech, and fatigable limb weakness, worsening over a 6-month period.

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Article Synopsis
  • The electrodiagnostic examination is crucial for diagnosing potential issues in the peripheral nervous system.
  • Understanding the test's procedure, appropriate timing for ordering it, and recognizing its limitations are key for effective use.
  • Having a foundational knowledge of these aspects enhances the test's overall reliability and usefulness.
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