Severe backache in Guillain-Barré syndrome

Axonal pathology in early stages of Guillain-Barré syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute-onset, immune-mediated disease of the peripheral nervous system. It may be classified into 2 main subtypes: demyelinating (AIDP) and axonal (AMAN). This study aims to analyse the mechanisms of axonal damage in the early stages of GBS (within 10 days of onset).

DEVELOPMENT

We analysed histological, electrophysiological, and imaging findings from patients with AIDP and AMAN, and compared them to those of an animal model of myelin P2 protein-induced experimental allergic neuritis. Inflammatory oedema of the spinal nerve roots and spinal nerves is the initial lesion in GBS. The spinal nerves of patients with fatal AIDP may show ischaemic lesions in the endoneurium, which suggests that endoneurial inflammation may increase endoneurial fluid pressure, reducing transperineurial blood flow, potentially leading to conduction failure and eventually to axonal degeneration. In patients with AMAN associated with anti-ganglioside antibodies, nerve conduction block secondary to nodal sodium channel dysfunction may affect the proximal, intermediate, and distal nerve trunks. In addition to the mechanisms involved in AIDP, active axonal degeneration in AMAN may be associated with nodal axolemma disruption caused by anti-ganglioside antibodies.

CONCLUSION

Inflammatory oedema of the proximal nerve trunks can be observed in early stages of GBS, and it may cause nerve conduction failure and active axonal degeneration.

Axonal pathology in early stages of Guillain-Barré syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute-onset, immune-mediated disease of the peripheral nervous system. It may be classified into 2 main subtypes: demyelinating (AIDP) and axonal (AMAN). This study aims to analyse the mechanisms of axonal damage in the early stages of GBS (within 10days of onset).

DEVELOPMENT

We analysed histological, electrophysiological, and imaging findings from patients with AIDP and AMAN, and compared them to those of an animal model of myelin P2 protein-induced experimental allergic neuritis. Inflammatory oedema of the spinal nerve roots and spinal nerves is the initial lesion in GBS. The spinal nerves of patients with fatal AIDP may show ischaemic lesions in the endoneurium, which suggests that endoneurial inflammation may increase endoneurial fluid pressure, reducing transperineurial blood flow, potentially leading to conduction failure and eventually to axonal degeneration. In patients with AMAN associated with anti-ganglioside antibodies, nerve conduction block secondary to nodal sodium channel dysfunction may affect the proximal, intermediate, and distal nerve trunks. In addition to the mechanisms involved in AIDP, active axonal degeneration in AMAN may be associated with nodal axolemma disruption caused by anti-ganglioside antibodies.

CONCLUSION

Inflammatory oedema of the proximal nerve trunks can be observed in early stages of GBS, and it may cause nerve conduction failure and active axonal degeneration.

[Guillain-Barré syndrome in hospitals in Togo]

Introduction

In sub-Saharan Africa characterized by limited resources especially in health facilities and a relatively higher frequency of infectious diseases, studies on Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are rare.

Objectives

The objectives of this work are to describe the characteristics of GBS in Togo through a cohort of patients followed in the neurology unit of the Campus University Hospital of Lomé.

Methodology

The study took place from May 2015 to July 2019. Patients with GBS of levels 1 to 3 of the Brighton criteria for diagnostic certainty were included consecutively and assessed at admission, at 6 months and at 1 year with the GBS disability score and the MRC sum score. Qualitative and quantitative variables were expressed, respectively, in frequency and median (interquartile range).

Results

Out of 7012 hospitalized patients, 28 (0.39%) including 20 women (71%) with a median age of 40 (27-53) years, presented GBS. The clinical presentation mainly consisted of bilateral sensory-motor disorders predominantly in the lower limbs associated with facial diplegia and preceded by an infectious event. On admission, 39% of patients (n=11) were able to walk (GBS score 0 to 3) and the median MRC sum score was 28 (12-38). Cytoalbuminologic dissociation was present in 654% of patients (13 of 20 patients who underwent lumbar puncture). The demyelinating and axonal subtypes each accounted for 47% (9 of 19 patients who underwent an electroneuromyography examination). Immunoglobulins and intravenous corticosteroid therapy were administered in 18% (n=5) and 50% (n=14) of patients, respectively. Lethality rate during hospitalization was 11% (n=3). The median MRC sum score at 6 and 12 month-outcome were 40 (38-49) and 51 (46-58), respectively. After one year of evolution, case fatality rate was 18% (n=5), and 78% of survivors (n=14) could walk without assistance, of which 17% (n=3) were asymptomatic.

Conclusion

In Togo, GBS, with a low hospital prevalence, remains a serious condition due to its high morbidity and lethality related to non-optimal treatment and delayed management.

Longitudinal study of neuropathic pain in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze neuropathic pain (NeP) and its therapy in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) during a 6-month follow-up period.

METHOD

This longitudinal multicenter study included 69 newly diagnosed adult GBS patients. NeP diagnosis was based on the criteria of Finnerup and confirmed by the PainDETECT Questionnaire (PD-Q). Severity of GBS was assessed by GBS disability scale (GDS). Patients were assessed: on day 14 (D14), day 28 (D28), month 3 (M3), and month 6 (M6) from the disease onset.

RESULTS

At D14, pain was present in 85.5% of patients, while 26.4% had NeP. At M6, 72.5% of patients had pain, 20.0% of them NeP. In acute GBS, pain intensity was higher in patients with NeP compared to those with non-NeP (p < 0.01). Pain intensity in patients with NeP did not change during time, but it decreased in patients with non-NeP at M6 (p < 0.05). Around 20% of GBS patients were on specific NeP medication throughout the observed period. One quarter of patients with NeP were not on specific NeP drug in the acute phase. Up to one third of patients with NeP were on NeP medication but still had significant NeP. Pooled PD-Q score was in correlation with pooled GDS score (rho = + 0.43, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

NeP is a common and potentially severe symptom in GBS that may persist for months. It is important to recognize NeP, start specific treatment on time, in adequate doses, and for prolonged period of time.

Proximal nerve lesions in early Guillain-Barré syndrome: implications for pathogenesis and disease classification

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute-onset, immune-mediated disorder of the peripheral nervous system. In early GBS, arbitrarily established up to 10 days of disease onset, patients could exhibit selective manifestations due to involvement of the proximal nerves, including nerve roots, spinal nerves and plexuses. Such manifestations are proximal weakness, inaugural nerve trunk pain, and atypical electrophysiological patterns, which may lead to delayed diagnosis. The aim of this paper was to analyze the nosology of early GBS reviewing electrophysiological, autopsy and imaging studies, both in acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) and acute motor/motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMAN/AMSAN). Early electrophysiology showed either well-defined demyelinating or axonal patterns, or a non-diagnostic pattern with abnormal late responses; there may be attenuated M responses upon lumbar root stimulation as the only finding. Pathological changes predominated in proximal nerves, in some studies, most prominent at the sides where the spinal roots unite to form the spinal nerves; on very early GBS endoneurial inflammatory edema was the outstanding feature. In the far majority of cases, spinal magnetic resonance imaging showed contrast enhancement of cauda equina, selectively involving anterior roots in AMAN. Both in AIDP and AMAN/AMSAN, ultrasonography has demonstrated frequent enlargement of ventral rami of C5-C7 nerves with blurred boundaries, whereas sonograms of upper and lower extremity peripheral nerves exhibited variable and less frequent abnormalities. We provide new insights into the pathogenesis and classification of early GBS.

Pain management in Guillain-Barre syndrome: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Pain is a common symptom in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome. Intensity is moderate to severe in most cases and pain may persist after resolution of the disease.

OBJECTIVE

Identify the most appropriate analgesic therapy for pain management in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Systematic review and selection of scientific articles on treatment of pain in Guillain-Barre syndrome patients, published between January 1985 and December 2012. We included only randomised, double-blind, controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of drugs for pain management in these patients.

RESULTS

Four articles met the inclusion criteria. One evaluated the use of gabapentin, another evaluated carbamazepine, a third compared gabapentin to carbamazepine, and the last evaluated use of methylprednisolone. Both carbamazepine and gabapentin were useful for pain management. Patients experienced lower-intensity pain with gabapentin treatment in the study comparing that drug to carbamazepine. Methylprednisolone was not shown to be effective for reducing pain. The published data did not permit completion of a meta-analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no robust evidence at present that would point to a single treatment option for this disorder. Further clinical studies of larger patient samples and with a longer duration are needed to characterise types of pain for each patient and measure pain intensity in an objective way.

[An adult Guillain-Barré syndrome patient with enhancement of anterior roots on spinal MRI and severe radicular pain relieved by intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy: A case report]

A 37-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of progressive abnormal gait and severe pain in the low back and lower extremities, more severe on the right side, especially in his right posterior thigh. The pain appeared one week after he suffered from slight fever and diarrhea. On admission, a neurological examination revealed mild distal weakness of the all extremities and loss of Achilles tendon reflex, associated with positive Lasègue sign. However, sensation was intact except for slightly impaired vibratory sensation on the trunk. An electrophysiological study showed diminished amplitude of compound muscle action potential and loss of F-wave of the posterior tibial nerves. Finding of cerebrospinal fluid was normal at the time of admission, although 12 days later albuminocytologic dissociation was found. Cervical and lumbar magnetic resonance images showed gadolinium enhancement of the anterior nerve roots and the cauda equina, more prominent on the right side, correlating with the prominent side of the patient's leg pain. Because of neurological features, electrophysiological abnormalities and CSF findings, we diagnosed his illness as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) characterized by severe back and leg pain. The character of pain was deep and aching, suggesting myalgic pain caused by the affected anterior roots. A short course high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy was not effective against the radicular pain although minimal improvement of limb weakness occurred. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and carbamazepine were unsuccessful for pain relief. Thereafter, intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) pulse therapy was introduced. On the day IVMP pulse therapy started, severe radicular pain began to decrease and became gradually milder without any marked effect on the other symptoms and signs of GBS.Moderate to severe pain is a common and early symptom of GBS and requires aggressive treatment. IVMP pulse therapy may be one of treatments for refractory and intolerable pain of GBS.

The Guillain-Barré syndrome

The latest estimation for the frequency of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is 1.1 to 1.8 per 100000 persons per year. Guillain-Barré syndrome is today divided into two major subtypes: acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) and the axonal subtypes, acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN). The axonal forms of GBS are caused by certain autoimmune mechanisms, due to a molecular mimicry between antecedent bacterial infection (particularly Campylobacter jejuni) and human peripheral nerve gangliosides. Improvements in patient management in intensive care units has permitted a dramatic drop in mortality rates. Immunotherapy, including plasma exchange (PE) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), seems to shorten the time to recovery, but their effect remains limited. Further clinical investigations are needed to assess the effect of PE or IVIg on the GBS patients with mild affection, no response, or relapse.

Clinical features, pathogenesis, and treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an important cause of acute neuromuscular paralysis. Molecular mimicry and a cross-reactive immune response play a crucial part in its pathogenesis, at least in those cases with a preceding Campylobacter jejuni infection and with antibodies to gangliosides. The type of preceding infection and patient-related host factors seem to determine the form and severity of the disease. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and plasma exchange are effective treatments in GBS; mainly for practical reasons, IVIg is the preferred treatment. Whether mildly affected patients or patients with Miller Fisher syndrome also benefit from IVIg is unclear. Despite medical treatment, GBS often remains a severe disease; 3-10% of patients die and 20% are still unable to walk after 6 months. In addition, many patients have pain and fatigue that can persist for months or years. Advances in prognostic modelling have resulted in the development of a new and simple prognostic outcome scale that might also help to guide new treatment options, particularly in patients with GBS who have a poor prognosis.

Determination of pain and response to methylprednisolone in Guillain-Barré syndrome

Pain can be a serious problem in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Different pain symptoms and the effect of methylprednisolone on pain are evaluated.

Interêt de la corticothérapie dans le traitement de la douleur à la phase aiguë du syndrome de Guillain-Barré

INTRODUCTION

Pain is a common problem in both adults and children with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Corticosteroids are rarely used in the treatment of pain in the course of GBS, although some authors have pointed out their value for the treatment of neuropathic pain. We report four patients with GBS whose pain was rapidly relieved by administration of corticosteroids.

METHODS

We reviewed retrospectively a series of four patients with GBS seen from September 2001 to February 2003. All patients had plexual (Case 3), trunkular (case 1), radicular (case 2) or focal (case 4) pain. Pain was treated with corticosteroids via oral (cases 1 and 2) or intravenous routes (cases 3 and 4). Corticoids where used after failure of other analgesic agents.

RESULTS

Pain relief was obtained after the first administration and persisted even after tapering off steroid treatment. No particular complication was observed during treatment course.

CONCLUSION

Our experience suggests that controlled studies should be set up to evaluate the place of corticosteroid treatment for the management of pain in patients with GBS.