A Case Report of a Quinquagenarian Patient Suffering with Rare Neural Disorder Guillain Barre Syndrome

Guillain - Barre syndrome is an acute onset ascending paralysis and sensory disturbances with autoimmune disease often following infections such as gastrointestinal disease. A 58 year old male patient, following gastrointestinal infection, had progressive weakness in the lower limbs which ascended into the upper limbs. On clinical examination patient showed bilateral weakness of the lower extremities with decreased reflexes and sensory deficits but no cranial nerve involvement. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies affirmed the CSF diagnostic work - up as one of the most common subtypes of GBS: acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. IVIG combined with supportive treatment, consisting of help in respiration and physiotherapy, produced dramatic improvement. By day five, enough independent respiratory function had returned to allow the patient to be moved for rehabilitation, thus demonstrating early intervention and multidisciplinary management. Continued long - term follow - up revealed the trend of continued motor recovery and independent ambulation, thus requiring further neurological assessment and intensive care management in an attempt to maximize the benefit. The case highlights the fact that GBS requires early diagnosis and IVIG therapy followed by multifaceted management at the earliest.