Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Acute weakness is a neurologic emergency, and one of the most frequent causes is Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). GBS is a syndrome encompassing multiple different forms of acute polyradiculoneuropathies. This chapter reviews the diagnosis and management of this classic neuromuscular condition by focusing on an understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms. The epidemiology, clinical features/variants, and differential diagnosis of GBS will be summarized, as will differentiation of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) (the most common form of GBS) from chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). The pathogenesis behind the disease will be discussed, followed by an evidence-based review of approved immunomodulatory therapy and treatment options still in clinical trials. Associated systemic complications are covered, as well as prognosis of patients presenting with various forms of Guillain-Barre syndrome.