THE GUILLAIN-BARRE DISEASE COMPLEX-An Analysis of the Disease with Therapeutic Suggestions and Report of 26 Cases.

The Guillain-Barré disease complex may result from a number of causes and have a wide variety of effects. The basic mechanism seems to be an immunizing or allergic reaction to many pathogens or their products, causing edema of the nerve roots in the spine, specifically about the meningeal covering. Resulting pressure on the axon causes nerve damage proportional to the severity and duration of pressure. Results in the 26 cases here reported and in other reports indicate that corticosteroids are the treatment of choice, the purpose being to reduce edema as promptly as possible. As might be expected, this therapy is of little value in the post-inflammatory stage of the disease, although prophylactic administration should continue for several months. Nerve and muscle rehabilitation are the chief aims of later treatment.