#54 To thymectomize or Not to thymectomize...That is the question

In 2016, we heard the results of the MGTX trial--a pivotal investigation that demonstrated the efficacy of thymectomy for select patients with non-thymomatous myasthenia gravis. This spring, we saw the long-term follow-up data from the MGTX investigators. In this week's re-run, we summarize these data, critique it, and reflect on how it may change clinical practice. IF YOU'RE TAKING YOUR NEUROLOGY BOARDS, and not sure how to prepare, check out the 2019 Penn Neurology Board Review Course here [or here: https://upenn.cloud-cme.com/default.aspx?P=5&EID;=54399]. BrainWaves' listeners get $150 off their enrollment fee using the promo code 'WAVES2019'. Produced by James E. Siegler. Music courtesy of Scott Holmes and Lee Rosevere. Sound effects by Mike Koenig and Daniel Simion. BrainWaves' podcasts and online content are intended for medical education only and should not be used for clinical decision making. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @brainwavesaudio for the latest updates to the podcast. REFERENCES Wolfe GI, Kaminski HJ, Aban IB, Minisman G, Kuo HC, Marx A, et al. Long-term effect of thymectomy plus prednisone versus prednisone alone in patients with non-thymomatous myasthenia gravis: 2-year extension of the mgtx randomised trial. The Lancet. Neurology. 2019;18:259-268 Wolfe GI, Kaminski HJ, Aban IB, Minisman G, Kuo HC, Marx A, et al. Randomized trial of thymectomy in myasthenia gravis. The New England journal of medicine. 2016;375:511-522 Blalock A, Harvey AM, Ford FR, Lilienthal JL. The treatment of myasthenia gravis by removal of the thymus gland. JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association. 1941;117:1529-1533 Oosterhuis HJ. Observations of the natural history of myasthenia gravis and the effect of thymectomy. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1981;377:678-690