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The effect of chronic electrical stimulation of the spinal cord was evaluated in a group of 24 patients with multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system. The systems for stimulation had been implanted from 12 to 30 months prior to completion of evaluation. At the time of completion of evaluation, 23 of the 24 patients still had implanted systems, although 6 of them had not used spinal cord stimulation because of no noticeable effect. In 3 patients stimulation had been disconnected because of technical failure of the system. In 1 patient the system had been removed 8 weeks after implantation because of inflammation in the under-skin receiver pocket. The effects on motor performance of the remaining 14 patients who had continuously active systems were improved bladder control, diminished spasticity, improved movement coordination, and increased endurance.

A 34-year-old woman with long-standing multiple sclerosis had a 2-year history and physical signs of myasthenia gravis. The edrophonium chloride (Tensilon) test was positive. Repetitive stimulation of the ulnar nerve at 3 Hz did not show evidence of myasthenic response; however, a single-fiber electromyography demonstrated evidence of neuromuscular block as seen in myasthenia gravis, which was reversed to normal after intravenously administered edrophonium. The patient improved on anticholinesterase medication. It is suggested that patients with multiple sclerosis who have unusual features such as in the patient reported here should be investigated for the presence of myasthenia gravis to ensure proper treatment.

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