Guillain-Barré syndrome diagnostic study of choice

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Fahimeh Shojaei, M.D.

Overview

There is no single diagnostic study of choice for Guillain Barre syndrome, though GBS may be diagnosed based on NINDS criteria established by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Progressive ascending weakness or paralysis usually starting from legs, involving are 4 limbs, the trunk, bulbar and facial muscles, and external ocular muscles and Areflexia or decreased reflexes in affected limbs.

Diagnostic Study of Choice

Diagnostic Criteria

• There is no single diagnostic study of choice for Guillain Barre syndrome, though GBS may be diagnosed based on NINDS criteria established by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke:
  • Progressive ascending weakness or paralysis usually starting from legs, involving are 4 limbs, the trunk, bulbar and facial muscles, and external ocular muscles.
  • Areflexia or decreased reflexes in affected limbs.
• these findings can make the GBS diagnosis even more possible:
  • Progression of symptoms over days to four weeks
  • Relative symmetry
  • Sensory abnormalities
  • Cranial nerve involvement, especially bilateral facial nerve weakness
  • Recovery starting two to four weeks after progression stops
  • Autonomic disturbance
  • Pain
  • absence of fever in the acute phase
  • Elevated CSF protein level
  • CSF cell count ≤50/mm³
  • Electrodiagnostic abnormalities consistent with GBS