[The value of stapedius reflex examinations in patients with myasthenia gravis (author's transl)]

Abstract

The behavior of the stapedius reflex was examined by means of the Z0-70 Madsen electroacoustic bridge in 41 patients (aged 9-73) with myasthenia gravis. A higher stapedius reflex threshold (90-130 db) at normal hearing was found in 66% of the cases. In 46.3% of the cases, an increased fatigue of the stapedius muscle was observed, as characterized by the lowering of the amplitude or the disappearance of the reflex after several successively repeated recordings. The examination of stapedius muscle fatigqu may be helpful indiagnosing early forms of myasthenia, in following the results of therapy for the disease, as well as in assessing the efficiency of antimyasthenic drugs.