Brain, Vol. 115, No. 4, 1093-1106, 1992
© 1992 Guarantors of Brain
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RECURRENT GUILLAIN-BARRÉ SYNDROME
CLINICAL AND LABORATORY FEATURES
Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Victoria Hospital, University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada
Correspondence to:
Correspondence to: François Grand'Maison, MD, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Service de Neurologie, 3001, 12e Avenue N, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, J1H 5N4
The clinical and laboratory features of recurrent Guillain-Barré syndrome (RGBS) were reviewed in 12 patients in whom a total of 32 episodes fulfilled accepted criteria for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). All patients were asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic between attacks. In a given patient, the time to reach peak deficit from the onset of symptoms, the functional grade at peak deficit and the duration of the intervals between episodes varied considerably and unpredictably from one episode to the next. Analysis of these parameters across the entire group revealed no significant change as the number of attacks increased. The distribution of weakness varied between episodes with the possible exception of features of the Miller Fisher variant which were more constant Tremor was noted in two patients and enlarged nerves in one patient. There was no evident response to immunosuppressive therapy Results of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and nerve conduction studies during recurrences were those expected in typical monophasic GBS. On nerve biopsy, onion bulb formations were sometimes observed after several recurrences.
The following characteristics of RGBS may be sufficiently distinctive from those of chronic relapsing polyneuropathy to justify their nosological separation: rapid onset of symptoms with subsequent complete or near complete recovery, high incidence of an antecedent illness, lack of an apparent response to immunosuppressive therapy and normal CSF protein levels at the onset of a recurrence.
Received August 20, 1991. Revised February 2, 1992. Accepted March 12, 1992.
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