Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Here, we present a case of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) that mimicked brain death. A 66-year-old lady with a medical history of breast cancer (now receiving hormone therapy), hypertension, and hypothyroidism, presented to the emergency department. The patient was admitted to the neuro ICU with absent brainstem and spinal cord responses, concerning for possible brain death. Further evaluation, however, identified the uncommon GBS with respiratory failure. This case emphasizes the need to recognize this severe manifestation of GBS since misinterpreting this as brain death might result in the discontinuation of ventilatory support.
Source: Cureus
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.76297
Authors: Lijo James, Aiswarya Mohan, Jithu Mol Thankam, Jeeva George
Institution: Caritas Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Neurology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4405760667