Guillian Barre

Question 1

What is Guillian Barre?

Answer 1

acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

Question 2

What is the presentation?

Answer 2

A few weeks after an infection a symmetrical ascending muscle weakness starts

Question 3

What are some triggers for Guillian Barre?

Answer 3

campylobacter jejuni 
CMV 
mycoplasma 
zoster 
HIV 
EBV 
vaccinations

Question 4

What does the trigger cause?

Answer 4

antibodies that attack nerves

Question 5

what muscles are affected more?

Answer 5

proximal (unlike other neuropathies)

e.g. trunk, resp, cranial nerves

Question 6

What other symptoms can you get?

Answer 6

pain e.g. back, limb

autonomic dysfunction e.g. sweating, tachycardia, bp changes, arrthymias

Question 7

How is it diagnosed?

Answer 7

Clinical diagnosis
nerve conduction studies - slow conduction
LP

Question 8

What does the LP show?

Answer 8

high protein

normal WBC

Question 9

What is the treatment?

Answer 9

IV Ig

plasma exchange