A Guillain-Barré syndrome variant with prominent facial diplegia (original) (raw)

Abstract

To determine the clinical features of a Guillain-Barré syndrome variant with prominent facial diplegia, we retrospectively reviewed approximately 8,600 cases referred to our neuroimmunological laboratory for serological tests during the past seven years. Patients’ histories, neurological signs, and laboratory and electrophysiological data were clarified based on their clinical records. Sera obtained during the acute phase were tested for prior infectious serology and anti-ganglioside antibodies. In 22 patients, clinical signs such as acute progressive bifacial weakness, paresthesias in the distal dominant limbs, and hypo- or areflexia, were compatible with a Guillain-Barré syndrome variant, facial diplegia and paresthesias. Other cranial nerve involvements, limb weakness, and ataxia were absent or minimal. Clinical courses were monophasic, the nadir being reached within four weeks. Eighteen patients (86%) had had infectious symptoms within the four weeks preceding the onset of neurological illness. In the infection serology tests, anti-cytomegalovirus IgM antibodies were the most frequent (35%). All the patients had cerebrospinal fluid albuminocytologic dissociation. In nerve conduction studies, 14 (64%) showed demyelination in their limbs. Anti-GM2 IgM antibodies were detected in four patients who had anti-cytomegalovirus IgM antibodies. Patients with conditions similar to facial diplegia and paresthesias, but lacking either distal paresthesias or hyporeflexia, were regarded as having marginal facial diplegia and paresthesias, because they also frequently had features of Guillain-Barré syndrome, such as an antecedent infection or cerebrospinal fluid albuminocytologic dissociation. Our findings are further evidence of a facial variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome and provide important information essential for its diagnosis.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Ms. Y. Tamura and M. Okazaki (Department of Neurology, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan) for their technical assistance.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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Author notes

  1. Keiichiro Susuki
    Present address: Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
  2. Michiaki Koga
    Present address: Department of Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minami-Kogushi 1-1-1, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan
  3. Nobuhiro Yuki
    Present address: Departments of Neurology and Clinical Research, Niigata National Hospital, 3-52 Akasaka, Kashiwazaki, Niigata, 945-8585, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
    Keiichiro Susuki, Michiaki Koga, Koichi Hirata & Nobuhiro Yuki
  2. Department of Disease Control and Molecular Epidemiology, Health Sciences University of Hokkaido, Hokkaido, Japan
    Emiko Isogai

Authors

  1. Keiichiro Susuki
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  2. Michiaki Koga
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  3. Koichi Hirata
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  4. Emiko Isogai
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  5. Nobuhiro Yuki
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Correspondence toKeiichiro Susuki or Nobuhiro Yuki.

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Susuki, K., Koga, M., Hirata, K. et al. A Guillain-Barré syndrome variant with prominent facial diplegia.J Neurol 256, 1899–1905 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-009-5254-8

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