Postpartum paraesthesia, and myasthenia with melanoma - Case Reports

The immune system is a recurring feature in the cases discussed in this edition of the Case Reports podcast. The first paper details the cases of two young women, sisters, presenting with overlapping conditions but resulting in tragically different outcomes (1:16). Both were in their twenties, had given birth recently, and developed limb weakness along with several other neurological symptoms. https://pn.bmj.com/content/24/5/422

Our second case is a 72-yo woman with a range of symptoms including diplopia, ptosis, myalgia, and worsening shortness of breath (21:27). She had had surgical resection of a malignant melanoma, and was receiving immunotherapy treatment. Her presentation resembled myasthenia gravis, but initial treatment did not yield a response. https://pn.bmj.com/content/24/5/428 

The case reports discussion is hosted by Prof. Martin Turner¹, who is joined by Dr. Ruth Wood² and Dr. Xin You Tai³ for a group examination of the features of each presentation, followed by a step-by-step walkthrough of how the diagnosis was made. These case reports and many others can be found in the October 2024 issue of the journal.

(1) Professor of Clinical Neurology and Neuroscience at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, and Consultant Neurologist at John Radcliffe Hospital.
(2) Neurology Registrar, University Hospitals Sussex.
(3) Clinical Academic Fellow, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, and Neurology Specialty registrar, Oxford University Hospital. 

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This episode was produced and edited by Brian O'Toole. Thank you for listening.