Neurology >
Guillain Barré Syndrome
“Progressive weakness of proximal muscles due to Antibodies against the myelin sheath”
Risk Factors
- Infection (usually campylobacter jejuni)
Pathophysiology
- Infection
- The body produces Antibodies against the myelin sheath
- progressive weakness of proximal muscles
Clinical Presentation
- Can get flaccid paralysis
- Often 4 limbs affected
- “Ascending” paralysis (first legs than arms) but proximal muscles before distal
- Can often present first with back pain
- Areflexia
- Cranial nerve involvement eg diplopia
Investigations
- Lumbar puncture
- High protein but normal WBC
- Nerve conduction studies
Management
- IV immunoglobulins
- Steroids not useful
Complications
- Breathing difficulties
- Hypertension
- Residual numbness
- Bladder function problems