Fulminant demyelinating neuropathy mimicking cerebral death

Muscle Nerve. 1997 Dec;20(12):1595-7. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199712)20:12<1595::aid-mus17>3.0.co;2-#.

Abstract

Guillain-Barré syndrome can very rarely present with acute quadripares and cranial nerve involvement resembling a locked-in state. We describe a very unusual case of fulminant neuropathy in a child who was previously exposed to vincristine. The clinical picture resembled brain death; however, electrodiagnostic studies led to the diagnosis of a peripheral neuropathy. Serial electrodiagnostic studies and pathologic findings confirmed demyelination.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Brain Death / diagnosis*
  • Child
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electrodiagnosis
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / diagnosis*
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / therapy
  • Sural Nerve / pathology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous