Context
Almost a century ago French neurologists Guillain and Barr gave their name to Guillain-Barr Syndrome (GBS), after they described the cases of two soldiers who presented with acute paralysis and areflexia, and later recovered. GBS is an acute immune mediated polyneuropathy with several variant forms.1
Patients classically present with weakness and sensory symptoms that start in the legs and progresses to the arms rapidly, which can also affect the cranial nerves. 20-30% of patients may develop respiratory failure and may require ventilatory support.2
The incidence of the disease is static at 12/100,000. It is more common in men (1.5:1) and with advancing age.1
In spite of advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment options, it remains a severe disease, which can be difficult to diagnose and treat.