Guillain-Barre Syndrome Approach Consideration
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What should be the management approach for a patient of Guillain-Barre Syndrome ?
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@samyr Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is generally diagnosed on clinical grounds. Basic laboratory studies, such as complete blood counts (CBCs) and metabolic panels, are normal and of limited value in the workup. They are often ordered, however, to exclude other diagnoses and to better assess functional status and prognosis. The ordering of specific tests should be guided by the patient's history and presentation.
Electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) can be very helpful in the diagnosis. Abnormalities in NCS that are consistent with demyelination are sensitive and represent specific findings for classic GBS. Delayed distal latencies, slowed nerve conduction velocities, temporal dispersion of waveforms, conduction block, prolonged or absent F waves, and prolonged or absent H-reflexes are all findings that support demyelination. Needle EMG may be normal in acute nerve lesions, and it may take 3-4 weeks for fibrillation to develop. In the acute phase, the only needle EMG abnormality may be abnormal motor recruitment, with decreased recruitment and rapid firing motor units in weak muscles. Unfortunately, electrodiagnostic studies can be completely normal in acute GBS and a normal study does not rule GBS.
Frequent evaluations of pulmonary function parameters should be performed at bedside to monitor respiratory status and the need for ventilatory assistance.
Lumbar puncture for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies is recommended. During the acute phase of GBS, characteristic findings on CSF analysis include albuminocytologic dissociation, which is an elevation in CSF protein (>0.55 g/L) without an elevation in white blood cells. The increase in CSF protein is thought to reflect the widespread inflammation of the nerve roots.
Imaging studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scanning of the spine, may be more helpful in excluding other diagnoses, such as mechanical causes of myelopathy, than in assisting in the diagnosis of GBS.