Case report: rapid progressive quadriparesis in Guillain-Barre syndrome

Abstract

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune-mediated polyneuropathy with an incidence of 0.6-2.4 per 100000 annually. GBS affects mostly lower extremities but can ascend to upper extremities and cause weakness of intercostal muscles, disturbing the ability to breathe and swallow. The tendon reflexes will be affected and the cranial nerves can be damaged. GBS extremely affects the autonomous nervous system and causes arrhythmia, blood pressure changes, tachycardia. Treatment varies for every individual, although the acute phase requires careful management of vital functions and instant treatment with plasmapheresis and high-doses of intravenous immunoglobulin. We present a case of a 40-year-old male patient, who was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome. He suffered from the following symptoms: progressive muscle weakness, dysarthria, upper limbs numbness, and tingling.