Clinical characteristics and early electrodiagnostic of Guillain - Barré syndrome

https://doi.org/10.52322/jocmbmh.120.07

Abstract

Objectives: Comment on some clinical characteristics and abnormal early electrodiagnostic findings of Guillain - Barré syndrome.

Material and Methods: 40 patients GBS in the first week of onset. We selected patients who had a final diagnosis of GBS in the Neurology Department of Bach Mai Hospital. All cases in our study had NCS records in the first week of illness.

Results: Common clinical symptoms: Subjective sensory disorders (77.5%) (p<0.05), symmetric motor movement on both sides (75%); decreased and lost tendon reflexes 77.5%, accompanied by paralysis of the cranial nerves 32.5%. CSF dissociates protein-cells. Abnormal H-reflex was presented in 37/40 patients (92.5%), while among them, this reflex was absent in 31 patients (77,5%). Abnormal F-waves were found 29/40 patients (72,5%). Motor nerve conduction results were as follows: distal motor latency prolonged in more than 2 nerves in 13 patients (32,5%), motor conduction velocity decreased  more than 70 % of normal value in more than 2 nerves in 7 patients (17,5%). There were 11 patients (27.5%) with normal NCS records with the only abnormal H reflexes were detected.

Conclusion: The common clinical symptom of GBS is bilateral symmetric flaccid paralysis, with cranial nerve palsy and protein-cell dissociation occurring acute. Abnormal H-reflex and F-wave are both the most sensitive tests in NCS records for GBS patients in the early stages.