Acute sensory neuropathy: a sensory form of Guillain-Barré syndrome?

A 62-year-old man presented with an acute onset of symmetric upper and lower extremity paresthesias. Neurological examination showed normal motor strength throughout with areflexia and reduced vibratory and proprioceptive sense in all four extremities. A lumbar puncture performed 6 weeks after onset demonstrated elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein with no cells. Electrodiagnostic testing 7 weeks after onset revealed a primarily sensory neuropathy with normal motor conduction and needle electromyographic studies Symptoms stabilized within 3 weeks of onset and improvement began within 2 months. Except for the absence of motor disturbance, this case appears to resemble Guillain-Barré syndrome.