INTRODUCTION: Nerve ultrasound has been used increasingly in neurophysiology laboratories, but data on Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are still limited, and no follow-up studies are available. CASE REPORT: An 8-year-old boy was admitted with severe demyelinating GBS. Serial neurophysiological evaluations were performed initially and in follow-up. Ultrasound studies showed diffuse and heterogeneous nerve swelling and focal enlargement of single fascicles inside the nerve. Together with clinical and electrophysiological improvement, progressive normalization of ultrasound changes was seen. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound demonstrated structural nerve abnormalities in GBS. These changes normalized as the patient improved clinically and electrophysiologically. Further studies are needed to elucidate the diagnostic and prognostic value of ultrasound in GBS.
INTRODUCTION: Nerve ultrasound has been used increasingly in neurophysiology laboratories, but data on Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are still limited, and no follow-up studies are available. CASE REPORT: An 8-year-old boy was admitted with severe demyelinating GBS. Serial neurophysiological evaluations were performed initially and in follow-up. Ultrasound studies showed diffuse and heterogeneous nerve swelling and focal enlargement of single fascicles inside the nerve. Together with clinical and electrophysiological improvement, progressive normalization of ultrasound changes was seen. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound demonstrated structural nerve abnormalities in GBS. These changes normalized as the patient improved clinically and electrophysiologically. Further studies are needed to elucidate the diagnostic and prognostic value of ultrasound in GBS.
Authors: Maria Rasenack; Bernhard F Décard; Sabine Schädelin; Alexander Grimm; Dirk Fischer; Patricia Hafner Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2016-12-09 Impact factor: 2.692