Ophthalmoplegic and lower cranial nerve variants merge into each other and into classical Guillain-Barré syndrome

Muscle Nerve. 1998 Feb;21(2):239-42. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199802)21:2<239::aid-mus13>3.0.co;2-x.

Abstract

We delineated the place of cranial nerve variants within the concept of clinically defined Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). In the ophthalmoplegic variant (n = 7) the oculomotor nerves were early involved. In a lower cranial nerve variant (n = 9) the cranial nerves IX, X, and XI were early involved. During progression considerable overlap occurred between these two variants, but also with the classically ascending variant of clinically defined GBS. These findings indicate common immune mechanisms in all GBS variants.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Campylobacter Infections / diagnosis
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / physiopathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Extremities
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Miller Fisher Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Miller Fisher Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Muscle Weakness / diagnosis
  • Muscle Weakness / physiopathology
  • Ophthalmoplegia / diagnosis*
  • Ophthalmoplegia / physiopathology
  • Polyneuropathies / diagnosis
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / diagnosis*
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / physiopathology