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15 - Guillain-Barré Syndrome

from SECTION III - SPECIFIC NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 August 2009

Sandeep Rana
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Sid M. Shah
Affiliation:
Assistant Clinical Professor Michigan State University
Sid M. Shah
Affiliation:
Michigan State University
Kevin M. Kelly
Affiliation:
Drexel University, Philadelphia
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Summary

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a form of acute inflammatory (demyelinating) polyneuropathy. It causes rapidly ascending numbness and weakness. In the early phase, a high index of suspicion for GBS is essential in the presence of ascending numbness and weakness because ancillary tests may not help. A normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein level in the early phase or a finding of numerous lymphocytes does not exclude the diagnosis of GBS. By end of first week of illness, CSF analysis usually reveals normal CSF pressure and elevated protein without leukocytosis termed albuminocytological dissociation. Despite advances in the treatment of GBS, good supportive care is still the most important determinant of favorable outcome. Cardiac monitoring is routine for patients with severe findings. Respiratory status is assessed with periodic vital capacities. Elective endotracheal intubation for ventilatory support is considered when the vital capacity is below 15 ml/kg.
Type
Chapter
Information
Principles and Practice of Emergency Neurology
Handbook for Emergency Physicians
, pp. 175 - 179
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2003

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References

Dyck P J, Thomas P K, eds. Peripheral Neuropathy, 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1993
Hughes R. Guillain-Barré Syndrome. London: Springer-Verlag; 1990
Victor M, Ropper A, eds. Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology, 7th ed. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 2001

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  • Guillain-Barré Syndrome
    • By Sandeep Rana, Department of Neurology Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sid M. Shah, Assistant Clinical Professor Michigan State University
  • Edited by Sid M. Shah, Michigan State University, Kevin M. Kelly, Drexel University, Philadelphia
  • Book: Principles and Practice of Emergency Neurology
  • Online publication: 06 August 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511547256.016
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  • Guillain-Barré Syndrome
    • By Sandeep Rana, Department of Neurology Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sid M. Shah, Assistant Clinical Professor Michigan State University
  • Edited by Sid M. Shah, Michigan State University, Kevin M. Kelly, Drexel University, Philadelphia
  • Book: Principles and Practice of Emergency Neurology
  • Online publication: 06 August 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511547256.016
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Guillain-Barré Syndrome
    • By Sandeep Rana, Department of Neurology Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sid M. Shah, Assistant Clinical Professor Michigan State University
  • Edited by Sid M. Shah, Michigan State University, Kevin M. Kelly, Drexel University, Philadelphia
  • Book: Principles and Practice of Emergency Neurology
  • Online publication: 06 August 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511547256.016
Available formats
×