Miller Fisher syndrome mimicking ocular myasthenia gravis

Ophthalmoplegia associated with anti-GQ1b antibodies: case report and review

A 60-year-old man with longstanding bilateral asymmetrical ptosis presented with a partial third nerve palsy. His diplopia improved following an ice pack test. He did not report any symptoms related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and nasopharyngeal swab was negative. Initial head imaging and blood work-up were normal except for a high titer of anti-GQ1b antibodies. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with acute ophthalmoparesis without ataxia which is part of the anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome spectrum. He made a spontaneous recovery over the following months without the need for immunotherapy. Clinical features, pathophysiology and a review of the literature are discussed herein. It is important to consider anti-GQ1b antibody syndrome in patients with symptoms of diplopia, ptosis or suspected ocular myasthenia.

Epidemiology of Ocular Manifestations in Autoimmune Disease

The global prevalence of autoimmune diseases is increasing. As a result, ocular complications, ranging from minor symptoms to sight-threatening scenarios, associated with autoimmune diseases have also risen. These ocular manifestations can result from the disease itself or treatments used to combat the primary autoimmune disease. This review provides detailed insights into the epidemiological factors affecting the increasing prevalence of ocular complications associated with several autoimmune disorders.

A unique case of Miller Fisher-Guillain-Barré overlap syndrome in a liver transplant recipient

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an ascending demyelinating polyneuropathy often associated with recent infection. Miller Fisher syndrome represents a variant with predominant facial and cranial nerve involvement, although Miller Fisher and Guillain-Barré overlap syndromes can occur. Guillain-Barré spectrum syndromes have been thought to be rare among solid organ transplant recipients. We describe an immunocompromised patient with a liver transplant who presented with ophthalmoplegia and bulbar deficits. His symptoms rapidly progressed to a state of descending paralysis involving the diaphragm; he then developed acute respiratory failure and eventually developed quadriparesis. Electromyography and a nerve conduction study demonstrated a severe sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy consistent with Miller Fisher variant Guillain-Barré syndrome. Despite several negative nasopharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction, a serology for SARS-CoV-2 IgG was positive. He was diagnosed with Miller Fisher-Guillain-Barré overlap syndrome with rapid recovery following treatment with plasma exchange. Although Guillain-Barré is a rare complication in solid organ transplant recipients, this case highlights the importance of rapid diagnosis and treatment of neurologic complications in transplant patients. Furthermore, it demonstrates a possible case of neurological complications from COVID-19 infection.

Pediatric Miller Fisher Syndrome and Ocular Myasthenia Gravis (A Reminder of Clinical Mimicry): A Case Report

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a rare immune-mediated neuropathy that often presents with diplopia and bilateral external ophthalmoplegia. Other neurological deficits may occur such as ataxia and areflexia but not in all cases. Although MFS is a clinical diagnosis, serological confirmation is possible by identifying the anti-GQ1b antibody found in the majority of patients. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder of the availability of acetylcholine receptors in the neuromuscular junction. Ocular myasthenia gravis is a disease subtype characterized by variable patterns of weakness of extraocular muscles, eyelid elevator, and orbicular muscle in which the initial sign in most adults and children is ptosis. We report a child with MFS who presented with clinical signs suggestive of ocular myasthenia gravis, but in whom the correct diagnosis was made on the basis of serological testing for the anti-GQ1b antibody. We aim to highlight the similarity between the two rare conditions and address the importance of early liaison with neurologists and ophthalmologists in reaching to the proper diagnosis.

[A case of Miller Fisher syndrome with a false-positive edrophonium test]

A 69-year-old woman presented with acute bilateral ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and hyporeflexia in the extremities following an antecedent upper respiratory infection. We suspected that she had Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) and performed an edrophonium test (ET) to rule out myasthenia gravis (MG). Edrophonium chloride improved the patient's bilateral ptosis, but not her ophthalmoplegia. Given the absence of the waning phenomenon on electrophysiological examination, the anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody, and a diurnal variation of symptoms, we concluded that the ET result was a false-positive. A diagnosis of MFS was confirmed by the presence of a positive anti-GQ1b antibody. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of MFS with a false-positive ET.

A Case of Miller Fisher Syndrome and Literature Review

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS)  was first recognized by James Collier in 1932 as a clinical triad of ataxia, areflexia, and ophthalmoplegia. Later, it was described in 1956 by Charles Miller Fisher as a possible variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Here, we write a case of a patient with atypical presentation of this clinical triad as the patient presented with double vision initially due to unilateral ocular involvement that progressed to bilateral ophthalmoplegia. He developed weakness of the lower extremities and areflexia subsequently. A diagnosis of MFS was made due to the clinical presentation and the presence of albuminocytologic dissociation in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) along with normal results of brain imaging and blood workup. The patient received intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), and his symptoms improved. The initial diagnosis of MFS is based on the clinical presentation and is confirmed by cerebral spinal fluid analysis and clinical neurophysiology studies. This case which emphasizes the knowledge of a rare syndrome can help narrow down the differentials to act promptly and appropriately manage such patients.

Miller Fisher Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Heterogeneity of Clinical Features and Focused Differential Diagnosis

Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS) is a rare variant of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) that has a geographically variable incidence. It is largely a clinical diagnosis based on the cardinal clinical features of ataxia, areflexia, and opthalmoplegia, however, other neurological signs and symptoms may also be present. Serological confirmation with the anti-GQ1b antibody is available and allows for greater diagnostic certainty in the face of confounding symptoms. A self-limiting course is typical of MFS. The following case report is that of a patient who presented with generalized weakness, somatic pain, inability to walk, and diplopia following an upper respiratory illness. The patient exhibited the classic triad of ataxia, areflexia, and opthalmoplegia characteristic of MFS, but also had less typical signs and symptoms making for a more challenging diagnostic workup. Our suspected diagnosis of MFS was serologically confirmed with positive anti-GQ1b antibody titer and the patient was successfully treated with Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG).