GBS

Question 1

Define

Answer 1

Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

Question 2

Cause

Answer 2

1-3 weeks post INFECTION:
Post infective antibodies that cross react with self antigen on myelin or neurones

Note: a rare version of GBS sees no demyelination

MALIGNANCY
Post vaccination

Question 3

Infective causes

Answer 3

Bacterial e.g. campylobacter jejuni
Viral:
HIV
Herpes viruses - zoster/CMV

Question 4

Malignant causes

Answer 4

Lymphoma

Hodgkin’s disease

Question 5

Epidemiology

Answer 5

Affects any age

Question 6

Symptoms

Answer 6

Ascending symmetrical limb weakness

Ascending parasthesia

Question 7

What is the time course of the symptoms?

Answer 7

Usually sudden, within 1 month

Question 8

Treatment and time course of treatment

Answer 8

IV immunoglobulin - takes some days to have a maximum effect

or plasmapheresis

Question 9

What is plasmapheresis?

Answer 9

Separation of plasma from blood and removal of the plasma/replacement with something else

Question 10

Prognosis

Answer 10

Virtually full recovery within 6months to a year, if complications such as DVT/artificial ventilation are avoided

Question 11

If it does relapse, what is it called?

Answer 11

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy