An Unusual Presentation of the Cervicobrachial Variant of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in a 32-Year-Old Previously Healthy Male

• Published in: Cureus Vol. 16; no. 2; p. e53610
• Main Authors: Iltaf-Mairajuddin, Samar, Channa, Raheel Muneer Ahmed, Shaffi Al Madani, Abubaker Abdul Rahman, Inshas, Jihad Said, Perkash, Jai, Kamran, Syed Habib Ullah
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 01.02.2024
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53610

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by acute peripheral nerve demyelination. The cervicobrachial (CB) variant presents with predominant upper limb weakness and has distinct clinical features. This case report aims to detail the clinical manifestations, diagnostic methodology, treatment outcomes, and broader implications of the CB variant of GBS. This case report presents a 32-year-old male, with a rare CB type of GBS, characterized by upper limb weakness and distinctive clinical features. Following a recent flu-like illness, the patient exhibited sudden onset weakness and neck pain. Neurological examination revealed proximal muscle weakness in the upper limbs with associated impaired pinprick sensation. Relevant laboratory investigations and imaging supported the diagnosis. The patient was diagnosed based on clinical suspicion, presentation, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) albuminocytological dissociation. The patient responded to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, highlighting the importance of early recognition and intervention. The diagnostic approach involved nerve conduction studies (NCS), CSF analysis, and imaging, with normal findings on CT, MRI brain & cervical spine, and NCS. IVIG therapy resulted in significant improvement in muscle power. In conclusion, this case shows the significance of early recognition and intervention in the CB variant of GBS. The diagnostic methodology, encompassing advanced modalities, played a crucial role in confirming the diagnosis.