Guillain-Barre syndrome-like illness in association with electrical shock injury

A 19-year-old man presented 4 weeks after an electrical shock injury with gradual onset limb weakness, altered sensation in the peripheries and respiratory difficulty. There was immediate tingling of the fingers following the electrical injury that persisted. He subsequently had transient facial wea...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ case reports 2013-10, Vol.2013, p.bcr2013201532
Main Authors: Anderson, Michelle Louise, O'Riordan, Jonathan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amnesia
Diagnosis, Differential
Dyspnea - etiology
Electric Injuries - complications
Guillain-Barre syndrome
Guillain-Barre Syndrome - diagnosis
Guillain-Barre Syndrome - etiology
Humans
Immunoglobulins
Male
Muscle Weakness - etiology
Proteins
United Kingdom
Unusual Presentation of More Common Disease/Injury
Vitamin deficiency
White
Young Adult
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Summary:A 19-year-old man presented 4 weeks after an electrical shock injury with gradual onset limb weakness, altered sensation in the peripheries and respiratory difficulty. There was immediate tingling of the fingers following the electrical injury that persisted. He subsequently had transient facial weakness responsive to oral steroids before the development of further limb symptoms. On admission the clinical picture and investigation findings, including neurophysiology, cerebrospinal fluid examination and MRI were consistent with a Guillain-Barre syndrome. He was managed with a course of intravenous immunoglobulin and extensive physiotherapy and occupational therapy. He made an initial modest improvement but worsened again over the subsequent 4–6 weeks. Further investigation identified no ongoing active disease and he is left with a significant residual deficit.
ISSN:1757-790X
1757-790X
DOI:10.1136/bcr-2013-201532