HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Kirschner, P. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Kirschner, P. A.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 43, 348-349, Copyright © 1987 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

ARTICLES

Alfred Blalock and thymectomy for myasthenia gravis

PA Kirschner

In 1936, Alfred Blalock performed the successful removal of a thymic tumor in a patient with myasthenia gravis. The patient experienced marked and sustained improvement for several years. Blalock prophesized then that exploration of the thymic region would be indicated in all patients with severe myasthenia gravis. A few years later, in 1941, he applied this theory by introducing thymectomy for nonthymomatous myasthenia and achieved similar improvement. Despite modern sophisticated knowledge about the disease and advances in thoracic surgical techniques, Blalock's original observations remain valid, and thymectomy has become a standard treatment for myasthenia gravis the world over.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. A. Swain Myasthenia Gravis Ann. Thorac. Surg., July 1, 1995; 60(1): 223 - 224. [Full Text]