[Neurological] Guillain-Barre Syndrome Flashcards
Where is the lesion located?
Lesions occur throughout the peripheral nervous system from the spinal nerve roots to the distal termination of both motor and sensory fibres
What is the gold standard medical treatment?
Plasmapheresis -> involves the removal of the attacking antibodies from the plasma
What fraction of patients make a full recovery and what are the remainder left with?
2/3 full recovery
Remainder left with some degree of disability and need to make substantial changes in their life (i.e. activities)
Time from onset of illness to peak disability can vary from ____ to ____
Hours to weeks
Is age a risk factor?
Can be as it can occur at any age but is slightly more common >65
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is a rare disorder affecting how many New Zealander’s a year?
40-80 New Zealander’s a year
Progression of the disease always stops within ….
4 weeks and their is a prolonged recovery phase
What is the male:female ratio for Guillain Barre Syndrome?
1:5
Guillain Barre Syndrome is not hereditary
True or False
True
What are the common forms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
- Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
- Miller Fisher Syndrome
- Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy
- Acute Motor and Sensory Neuropathy
What is the difference between ‘Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy’ and ‘Acute Motor and Sensory Neuropathy’
Immune attack of the motor axons = acute motor axonal neuropathy
Immune attack of the motor and SENSORY axons = acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy
What is Miller Fisher Neuropathy?
Immune attack of the NERVES that control eye movement and co-ordination
What is acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy?
Immune attack of the MYELIN SHEATH
GBS is most common caused by
food poisoning, flu, viral infections, childbirth, surgery or vaccinations
About ___ unable to walk at peak disability
60%
What kind of nerves are also commonly involved?
Cranial
Respiratory function is impaired in ____ in cases
50%
___ to ___ % require NIV to invasive ventilation and intensive care
20 - 30 %
What is the gold standard to remove attacking antibodies from the plasma?
Plasmapheresis
What is average recovery
3 months to 6 months; but can be 3 weeks to 9 months
