Guillain-Barré syndrome diagnostic study of choice

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Fahimeh Shojaei, M.D.

Diagnostic Study of Choice

Diagnostic Criteria

• There is no single diagnostic study of choice for Guillain Barre syndrome, though GBS may be diagnosed based on NINDS criteria established by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke:
  • Progressive ascending weakness or paralysis usually starting from legs, involving are 4 limbs, the trunk, bulbar and facial muscles, and external ocular muscles.
  • Areflexia or decreased reflexes in affected limbs.
• these findings can make the GBS diagnosis even more possible:
  • Progression of symptoms over days to four weeks
  • Relative symmetry
  • Sensory abnormalities
  • Cranial nerve involvement, especially bilateral facial nerve weakness
  • Recovery starting two to four weeks after progression stops
  • Autonomic disturbance
  • Pain
  • absence of fever in the acute phase
  • Elevated CSF protein level
  • CSF cell count ≤50/mm³
  • Electrodiagnostic abnormalities consistent with GBS