A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. For some types of myasthenia, Tensilon may make the weakness worse. However, you should follow any dietary restrictions or other directions prescribed by your health care provider. In cholinergic crisis (overdose of anticholinesterase), Tensilon will exaggerate the muscle weakness. When the disease gets worse enough to need treatment (myasthenic crisis), there is a brief improvement in muscle strength. The medicine used during the test may cause side effects, including fainting or breathing failure. Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease . Disorders of neuromuscular transmission. There may be some side effects from the drug. The ice test, Tensilon test, and EMG may be difficult to perform in young children due to cooperativity. Laboratory testing such as acetlylcholine receptor antibody panels can be done but are unfortunately positive in only about 50% of patients with ocular myasthenia. The health care provider gives the medicine through one of your veins (intravenously, through an IV). The test helps diagnosis myasthenia gravis, may aid in telling the difference between myasthenic and other similar neurological conditions, and may be used to monitor oral anticholinesterase therapy. © 1997- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diagnosis of pharyngeal dysphagia caused by myasthenia gravis (MG) based on clinical examination alone is often challenging. Ice test: This is a test that checks for improvement in eyelid drooping after covering your eyelids with ice packs. Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) combined with Tensilon (edrophonium) application, referred to as the FEES-Tensilon test, was developed to improve diagnostic accuracy and to detect the main symptoms of pharyngeal dysphagia … Tensilon test - diagnostic. The provider will check whether the Tensilon improves your muscle strength. In myasthenic crisis (worsening of the disease that requires anticholinesterase therapy), there is a brief improvement in the muscle strength. Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. This is why the test is done by a provider in a medical setting. You will feel a sharp prick as the IV needle is inserted. In many people with myasthenia gravis, the muscle weakness will improve right after receiving Tensilon. When performing the test on an adult patient suspected of having myasthenia gravis, 2 mg of Tensilon are administered initially. The rest of the Tensilon is then given. In: Chernecky CC, Berger BJ, eds. You will be asked to perform some repetitive muscular movements like crossing and uncrossing your legs with particular attention paid to whether your muscle strength is improved by the Tensilon. The test may be repeated and additional Tensilon may be given to help tell the difference between myasthenia gravis and other conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. (anti-AChR antibody titre). Alternative Names Myasthenia gravis - tensilon test How the Test is Performed A medicine called Tensilon (also called edrophonium) or a dummy medicine (inactive placebo) is given during this test. When there is an overdose of anticholinesterase (cholinergic crisis), Tensilon will make the person even weaker. You will be asked to perform some muscle movements over and over again, such as crossing and uncrossing your legs or getting up from a sitting position in a chair. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. No special preparation is usually necessary. Your vet may need to do other tests to re-enforce their suspicion of MG. One of these is the ‘Tensilon test’. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. In: Daroff RB, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, eds. The maximum benefit only lasts several minutes. The test may be repeated and you may have other Tensilon tests to help tell the difference between myasthenia gravis and other conditions. The health care provider may want to fatigue your muscles by having you do various exercises such as counting until your voice diminishes or holding your arms above your shoulders until they drop.