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Chapter 20 - Peripheral Nerve and Neuromuscular Disorders

from Section 3 - Specific Neurological Disorders in Emergency Medicine

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2024

By
George A. Small ,
Sandeep Rana  and
Mara Aloi
Edited by
Thomas P. Campbell  and
Kevin M. Kelly
Thomas P. Campbell
Affiliation:
Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh
Kevin M. Kelly
Affiliation:
Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh
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Summary

Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acquired neuromuscular disorder that presents as rapidly progressive weakness and numbness, usually in an ascending fashion. The underlying pathophysiology is monophasic inflammatory immune-mediated demyelinating polyneuropathy that in many cases is triggered by viral illnesses, usually a few weeks prior to the onset of syndrome. The majority of cases are in young adults, although it can occur in pediatric and elderly age groups. GBS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of new-onset rapidly progressing weakness in an otherwise healthy individual.

Keywords

Guillain–Barré syndromeMiller–Fisher Syndromeperipheral neuropathymyasthenia gravisamyotrophic lateral sclerosisbotulismradiculopathyplexopathymononeuropathypolyneuropathy
Type
Chapter
Information
Handbook of Emergency Neurology , pp. 295 - 306
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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