Case of the Week
Section Editors: Matylda Machnowska1 and Anvita Pauranik2
1University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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April 9, 2012
Acute Polyradiculoneuropathy in SLE
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) consisting of acute, usually predominantly motor neuropathy with areflexia and raised CSF protein was first described in 1916. It is generally agreed that the eponym "GBS" be reserved for cases where an underlying etiology is not found, the remainder being called "acute inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy." Polyradiculoneuropathy can rarely complicate SLE. Both humoral and cell-mediated immune mechanisms have been proposed.
- Cauda equina, brachial plexus, and peripheral nerves can be involved.
- Key Diagnostic Features: Enhancement of the ventral nerve roots is typically seen.
- DDx: "Idiopathic" GBS, Charcot-Marie Tooth, Dejerine-Sotta's disease, sarcoidosis, lymphoma, tuberculosis
- Rx: Prednisolone, plasmapharesis
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