Miller fisher syndrome: 10 years' experience in a third-level center.

INTRODUCTION: There are few studies regarding the clinical characteristics of Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) in the Latin-American population. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of the clinical characteristics, neurophysiology, treatment and prognosis of MFS patients between 1995 and 2005. RESULTS: Nineteen MFS cases were documented, 12 of which did not receive immunosuppressive therapy. In both groups, the mean age was 36 years, 84% were male; onset in spring and fall was also predominant (73%), and antecedents of respiratory disease were found (79%). The mean duration of infectious symptoms was 7 days (1-11 days), and the mean interval between the onset of the infection and neurological symptoms was 7 days (1-30 days). The principal sign of onset was diplopia (63%). The mean delay between the onset of neurological symptoms and the beginning of recovery from ataxia, ophthalmoplegia and areflexia was 10 (1-30 days), 11 (1-30 days) and 14 (4-45 days) days, respectively, and the mean delay of the disappearance of ataxia, ophthalmoplegia and areflexia was 35 (10-121 days), 93 (18-244 days) and 64 (10-650 days) days, respectively. There was no significant difference between the group that received immunosuppression and the one that did not. DISCUSSION: The natural course of MSF is characterized by excellent recovery; there were no differences between the two groups.