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Intracranial hemorrhage in a patient with Guillain–Barré syndrome following intravenous immunoglobulin therapy: A rare complication

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy characterized by progressive weakness, areflexia, and variable autonomic dysfunction. Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is an extremely uncommon neurological complication associated with GBS and has been rarely described in the literature. We report a case of a 53-year-old female who presented with rapidly progressive quadriparesis and respiratory failure. Clinical findings and nerve conduction studies were suggestive of pure motor axonal GBS. The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) at a dose of 0.4 g/kg/day for five days. During treatment, she developed sudden deterioration in sensorium, and computed tomography of the brain revealed pontine hemorrhage with perilesional edema. Platelet count and coagulation parameters remained within normal limits. Despite intensive supportive management, the patient developed cardiac arrest and could not be revived. Intracranial hemorrhage is a rare but potentially fatal complication in patients with GBS. Sudden neurological deterioration during the course of disease or IVIG therapy should prompt immediate neuroimaging evaluation.

Source: Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care

DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_441_25

Authors: Preeti Singh Dhoat, Amandeep Kaur, Rohit Raina, Navdeep Kaur, Sonali Mina

Institution: All India Institute of Medical Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Peripheral Neuropathies and Disorders

Subfield: Clinical Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $450