Guillain-Barre syndrome
| Bilateral flaccid ascending weakness... classically after campylobacter. | |
|---|---|
| Etiology | Sensitising infections include influenza/Parainfluenza, Epstein-Barr virus, Campylobacter, HIV, Mycoplasma pneumonia... |
| Epidemiology | Preceding diarrhoeal illness - poor prognosis. |
| Clinical presentation | ascending flaccid weakness - starts distally, absent reflexes autonomic instability |
| Pathogenesis | |
| Diagnostic investigations | FVC LP - ↑ CSF protein; anti-ganglionoside abs (serum) - Miller-Fisher syndrome |
| Management | IVIG or Plasma exchange Steroids are counterproductive Tracheostomy depends on pace of resp wean if invasively ventilated |