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Tensilon test

• Overview
• Risks
• Results

What abnormal results mean:

In myasthenia gravis, the muscles will improve immediately following the Tensilon. The maximum benefit only lasts several minutes.

In myasthenic crisis (worsening of the disease that requires anticholinesterase therapy), there is a brief improvement in the muscle strength.

In cholinergic crisis (overdose of anticholinesterase), Tensilon will exaggerate the muscle weakness.

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed include Lambert-Eaton syndrome .

• Review Date: 1/22/2007
• Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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