Guillain-Barre's Syndrome Flashcards
What is the epidemiology of GBS?
It is the most common polyneuropathy at 1-2/100,000/yr
DDx for GBS?
Poliomyelitis
Botulism
Cord compression
Muscle disease
What is Guillain-Barre syndrome?
An acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy characterised by symmetrical ascending muscle weakness
What is the prognosis of GBS?
85% make full recovery
10% are unable to walk alone for 1yr
10% mortality
What Ix are used in GBS? What is found?
Slow conduction in nerve conduction studies
LP with increased protein (>5.5g/L) with a normal white cell count
How is GBS managed?
IV immunoglobulin (0.4g/kg/24h) for 5 days
Plasma exchange
Steroids aren’t useful
What is the clinical presentation of GBS?
Ascending symmetrical muscle weakness a few weeks following infection (eg Campylobacter jejuni, CMV, mycoplasma, zoster, HIV, EBV, vaccinations)
May be accompanied by pain and sensory changes
Sweating, increase pulse, BP changes and arrhythmias can occur as well
What is Fisher syndrome?
A variant of GBS characterised by ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, areflexia (absence reflexes)
