Work

A post cytomegalovirus Guillain-Barre syndrome, with atypical presentation, associated with arachnoiditis in a 10-month-old girl

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: We present the case of a 10-month-old girl with Guillain-Barré syndrome who was diagnosed in a late stage of the disease.The initial presentation was atypical both clinically (severe back pain and meningismus) and radiologically (diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement spreading from the posterior fossa to the cauda equina).This led to a strong suspicion of carcinomatous meningitis or tuberculous spinal arachnoiditis.Considering absence of deep tendon reflexes, the patient was finally diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with cytomegalovirus infection.Her condition improved following intravenous immunoglobulin treatment.To our knowledge, whereas enhancement of the cauda equine roots represents the neuroradiological hallmark of Guillain-Barré syndrome, such a diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement has never been reported in association with Guillain-Barré syndrome.Paediatricians should consider Guillain-Barré syndrome in their differential diagnosis not only when faced with a child who has back pain and meningismus, but also in case of diffuse spinal arachnoiditis.

Source: Neurology and Neurosurgery

DOI: 10.15761/nns.1000108

Authors: Nina Goldman, Jean-Christophe Cuvellier, Gustavo Soto-Ares, Louis Vallee

Institutions: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Hôpital Roger Salengro

Language: English

Topic: Peripheral Neuropathies and Disorders

Subfield: Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W2969831773