Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS): clinical features

Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .

Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS): clinical features. LEMS is an autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction.

Pathology

  • LEMS is an autoimmune disorder of the neuromuscular junction
  • It is caused by autoantibodies to voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs)
  • It is paraneoplastic in 50-60% of cases
  • Non-paraneoplastic LEMS is often associated with HLA B8, DR3 and DQ2 

Limb weakness

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Ptosis

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Other neuromuscular features

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Autonomic features

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Associated autoimmune disorders

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Differential diagnosis: myasthenia gravis (MG)

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Differential diagnoses: others

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Acronym

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References

  1. Gilhus NE. Lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome; pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy. Autoimmune Dis 2011; 2011:973808.
  2. Mareska M, Gutmann L. Lambert-Eaton syndrome. Semin Neurol 2004; 24:149-153.
  3. Titulaer MJ, Lang B, Verschuuren JJGM. Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome: from clinical characteristics to therapeutic strategies. Lancet 2011; 10:1098-1107. 
  4. Weimer MB, Wong J. Lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome. Curr Treat Options Neurol 2009; 11:77-84.
  5. Sabater L, Titulaer M, Saiz A, Verschuuren J, Gure AO, Graus F. SOX1 antibodies are makers of paraneoplastic Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. Neurology 2008; 70:924-928.
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