Ice pack test for myasthenia gravis

Abstract

A common symptom of myasthenia gravis is eyelid ptosis. Often, the edrophonium test is negative, particularly in ocular myasthenia gravis. Myasthenic weakness is often improved by cold. We applied ice packs to the eye in 10 myasthenic patients and 7 disease controls. Eight of 10 patients with myasthenia gravis improved, whereas none of the controls improved. The ice pack test is useful in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis.