Guillain-Barre syndrome is a disorder caused by nerve inflammation involving progressive muscle weakness or paralysis , which often follows an infectious illness.

Alternative Names

Landry-Guillain-Barre syndrome; Acute idiopathic polyneuritis; Infectious polyneuritis; Acute inflammatory polyneuropathy

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Guillain-Barre syndrome is an acute type of nerve inflammation. The inflammation damages portions of the nerve cell, resulting in muscle weakness or paralysis and sensory loss. The damage usually includes loss of the myelin sheath of the nerve (demyelination ), which slows the conduction of impulses through the nerve. The damage can also cause denervation (kill the axon part of the nerve cell), which stops nerve function entirely. Without the axon, messages cannot be transferred from one nerve cell to another. The exact cause of this disorder is unknown. It may occur at any age but is most common in people of both sexes between the ages 30 and 50. It often follows a minor infection, usually a respiratory (lung) infection or gastrointestinal (gut) infection. Signs of the original infection have usually disappeared before the signs of Guillain-Barre begin. Guillain-Barre syndrome may occur in association with viral infections like mononucleosis, AIDS , and herpes simplex or after infections with bacteria, such as mycoplasma and some types of diarrhea. Sometimes Guillain-Barre occurs after recent surgery or vaccinations (such as rabies and swine flu vaccines) or in association with other medical problems such as systemic lupus erythematosus or Hodgkin's disease .

Signs and tests

A history of increasing

muscle weakness and paralysis may indicate Guillain-Barre syndrome, especially if there was a recent illness. Neurological examination shows muscle weakness and may indicate dysfunction of the control of involuntary (autonomic) body functions such as blood pressure and heart rate. Sensory loss may be minimal, even when sensory changes are present. There may be evidence of decreased breathing ability caused by paralysis of the breathing muscles and a decrease in deep tendon reflexes in the arms and legs.

An

NCV ( nerve conduction velocity ) shows demyelination .

An

EMG (a test of electrical activity in muscles) shows lack of nervous stimulation.

A

CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) examination may be abnormal, showing increase in protein without increase in white blood cell count .

An

ECG may show abnormalities in some cases.

Treatment

In the past, before treatment was available, many patients recovered completely with time. However, symptoms may be severe during the course of the disorder, and hospitalization is usually required to support breathing function and prevent complications and to provide physical therapy. Plasmaphoresis may decrease the severity of the symptoms and facilitate a more rapid recovery. In this procedure, blood plasma, which contains antibodies , is removed from the body and replaced with intravenous fluids or antibody-free donated plasma. Intravenous immune globulin (IVIg) is equally effective in reducing the severity and duration of the symptoms. Other treatments are directed at preventing complications such as choking during feeding (through positioning or use of a feeding tube), blood clots (through positioning and sometimes blood thinners), intermittent bladder catheterization, and others. Pain is treated aggressively with anti-inflammatory agents and narcotics if needed.

Support groups

Guillain-Barre Syndrome Foundation International

Expectations (prognosis)

Almost all cases (95%) survive and the majority recover completely. Mild weakness may persist for some people. The outcome is most likely to be very good when symptoms remit within 3 weeks of their onset.

Complications

Breathing difficulty

(

respiratory failure)

Aspiration

of food or fluids into the lungs

Pneumonia

Increased risk of infections

Deep vein thrombosis

Permanent

loss of movement of an area

Contractures

of joints or other deformity

Calling your health care provider

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if loss of movement , decreased sensation or other emergency symptoms occur, including difficulty swallowing or breathing, feeling "unable to take a deep breath," or fainting .