Atypical Guillain-Barré syndrome presenting with fluctuating weakness

• Published in: Proceedings - Baylor University. Medical Center Vol. 36; no. 1; pp. 111 - 113
• Main Authors: Crowther, Lauren L, Randhawa, Amarjyot K, Plambeck, Robert W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis Ltd 2023; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Case Report; Case reports; Case Studies; COVID-19; Guillain-Barre syndrome; COVID-19; Atypical GBS; Guillain-Barré syndrome
• ISSN: 0899-8280; 1525-3252
• DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2022.2126930

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated polyneuropathy, most often occurring within weeks of an infection. Cases of COVID-19-related GBS have been reported, and the typical presentation is a progressive ascending paralysis. We describe a case of a 40-year-old with recent symptomatic COVID-19 who presented with atypical GBS findings, hand weakness that progressed to tetraplegia within 24 hours. He had hyperreflexia on his initial exam and did not meet diagnostic criteria for GBS. Inconsistent neurological findings with spontaneous improvement of symptoms, unremarkable initial evaluation including lumbar puncture, and anxiety further complicated the diagnosis. On day 6, he was intubated for diaphragmatic paralysis, and repeat lumbar puncture showed albumin-cytologic dissociation. Intravenous immunoglobulin followed by plasmapheresis improved strength and allowed for extubation. This case highlights the difficulty of recognizing heterogenic GBS presentations.