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Síndrome de Lambert-Eaton - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Síndrome miasténico; Síndrome de Eaton-Lambert; Síndrome miasténico de Lambert-Eaton; SMLE

Definición:

Es un trastorno en el cual la comunicación defectuosa entre los nervios y los músculos lleva a que se presente debilidad muscular.

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

El síndrome de Lambert-Eaton ocurre cuando las neuronas no liberan suficiente cantidad de un químico llamado acetilcolina, el cual transmite impulsos entre los nervios y los músculos.

El resultado es la debilidad muscular y otros síntomas similares a la miastenia grave. Sin embargo, a diferencia de la miastenia grave, a medida que el músculo continúa contrayéndose, la acetilcolina puede acumularse en cantidades suficientes para que la fuerza mejore ligeramente. En lugar de que el músculo se debilite rápidamente a medida que se contrae en forma repetitiva, éste se fortalece durante un corto período de tiempo.

El síndrome de Lambert-Eaton puede ocurrir con cánceres como el pulmonar de células pequeñas u otros trastornos autoinmunitarios, como el vitiligo, el cual lleva a una pérdida del pigmento de la piel.

  • Reviewed last on: 8/27/2010
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Vincent A, Newsom-Davis J. Disorders of neuromuscular transmission. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 448.

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