Surgery results in complete cure of Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome in a patient with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma

Summary Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome is a paraneoplastic phenomenon associated with neuroendocrine tumours, most frequently small cell lung carcinoma. Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare cause of Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome. A 70-year old gentleman was referred with metastatic axillary nodal disease from a previously resected Merkel cell carcinoma of the left arm. Pre-operatively, the patient was wheelchair-bound from Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome. Level I–III left axillary node clearance was performed and within 6 months, he had experienced full recovery of muscle power and mobility. We describe a case of complete cure of Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome following axillary nodal clearance in a patient with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma.