Síndrome de Guillain-Barré asociado a infección por COVID-19: revisión de casos publicados / Guillain-Barré syndrome associated to COVID-19 infection: a review of published case reports

INTRODUCCIÓN: La pandemia por la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) es un importante problema para la salud mundial. Hay un incremento en las complicaciones neurológicas reconocidas por la COVID-19, incluyendo el síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB) y sus variantes. DESARROLLO: Se realizó una revisión de los casos publicados en los últimos meses de SGB asociado a infección por COVID-19. Incluimos a 48 pacientes (31 hombres; edad media: 56,4 años). Los síntomas de COVID-19 más comunes fueron tos (60,4%) y fiebre (56,3%). El tiempo promedio entre los síntomas de COVID-19 y el SGB fue de 12,1 días, pero nueve pacientes (18,8%) desarrollaron SGB en menos de siete días. Once pacientes (22,9%) presentaron afectación de los nervios craneales en ausencia de debilidad muscular, 36 presentaron la variante clásica sensitivomotora (75%) y uno tuvo una variante motora pura (2,1%). El patrón electrofisiológico se consideró desmielinizante en el 82,4% de las variantes generalizadas. La presencia de hiposmia/disgeusia estuvo asociada con una latencia menor a los siete días hasta el inicio de los síntomas del SGB (30 frente a 15,6%) y a la afectación de los nervios craneales en ausencia de debilidad (30,8 frente a 17,1%). La mayoría de los pacientes (87,5%) fueron tratados con inmunoglobulina endovenosa. La evolución neurológica fue favorable en el 64,6%, el 29,2% tuvo insuficiencia respiratoria y hubo un 4,2% de muertes. CONCLUSIONES: El SGB en pacientes con infección por SARS-CoV-2 es similar clínica y electrofisiológicamente a las formas clásicas. Se requieren más estudios para comprender si la frecuencia del SGB realmente aumentó debido a la pandemia por COVID-19 y explorar los mecanismos patógenos involucrados

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a major worldwide health disorder. There is an increasing number of neurological complications recognized with COVID-19 including patients with GBS and its variants. DEVELOPMENT: A review of the clinical cases of GBS associated to COVID-19 infection published in the last months has been developed. We included 48 patients (31 men, mean age 56.4 years). The most common COVID-19 symptoms were cough (60.4%) and fever (56.3%). Mean time from COVID-19 symptoms to neurologic manifestations was 12.1 days, but in nine patients (18.8%) developed GBS within seven days. Eleven patients (22.9%) presented cranial nerve involvement in the absence of muscle weakness; 36 presented the classic sensory motor variant (75%) and one had a pure motor variant (2.1%). The electrodiagnostic pattern was considered demyelinating in 82.4% of the generalized variants. The presence of hyposmia/dysgeusia was associated with a latency shorter than seven days to GBS onset of symptoms (30% vs 15.6%), and cranial nerve involvement in the absence of weakness (30.8% vs 17.1%). Most patients (87.5%) were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. Neurological outcome was favorable in 64.6%; 29.2% had respiratory failure and 4.2% died shortly after being admitted. CONCLUSIONS: GBS in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection resembles clinically and electrophysiology the classical forms. Further studies are necessary to understand whether GBS frequency is actually increased due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and explore pathogenic mechanisms

Neuro-Otological and Peripheral Nerve Involvement in Fabry Disease.

Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease, with multisystemic glycosphingolipids deposits. Neuro-otological involvement leading to hearing loss and vestibular dysfunctions has been described, but there is limited information about the frequency, site of lesion, or the relationship with peripheral neuropathy. The aim was to evaluate the presence of auditory and vestibular symptoms, and assess neurophysiological involvement of the VIII cranial nerve, correlating these findings with clinical and neurophysiological features of peripheral neuropathy. We studied 36 patients with FD with a complete neurological and neuro-otological evaluation including nerve conduction studies, quantitative sensory testing (to evaluate small fiber by warm and cold threshold detection and cold and heat pain), vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, videonistagmography, audiometry and brainstem auditory evoked potentials. Neuro-otologic symptoms included hearing loss (22.2%), vertigo (27.8%) or both (25%). An involvement of either cochlear or vestibular function was identified in most patients (75%). In 70% of our patients the involvement of both cochlear and vestibular function could not be explained by a neural or vascular mechanism. Small fiber neuropathy was identified in 77.7%. There were no significant associations between neuro-otological and QST abnormalities. Neuro-otologic involvement is frequent and most likely under-recognized in patients with FD. It lacks a specific neural or vascular pattern, suggesting multi-systemic, end organ damage. Small fiber neuropathy is an earlier manifestation of FD, but there is no correlation between the development of neuropathy and neuro-otological abnormalities.

[Sensory neuronopathy. Its recognition and early treatment]. / Neuronopatía sensitiva. Su reconocimiento y tratamiento temprano.

Sensory neuronopathies or ganglionopathies, or dorsal root ganglion disorders, represent a subgroup of peripheral nervous system diseases, frequently associated with dysinmune or neoplastic disorders and with toxic agents. A degeneration of both central and peripheral sensory proyections is present. Patients typically show early ataxia, loss of deep tendon reflexes and positive sensory symptoms present both in proximal and distal sites of the body. We retrospectively studied 10 cases with a final diagnosis of sensory neuronopathy. Sensory neuropathy was the presenting symptom and the course was subacute in all cases. Paresthesias in upper limbs were a predominant manifestation (100%). Other manifestations included: hypoesthesia (10/10), gait ataxia (8/10), autonomic symptoms (3/10) and perioral paresthesias (3/10). Electrophysiology showed sensory axonal neuronal pattern, with normal motor responses. Final diagnosis was acquired sensory neuronopathy in all patients, associated with Sjögren's syndrome in 2, with lupus erythematosus in 1, with rheumatoid arthritis in 1, with a cancer in 2 (paraneoplastic) and idiopathic in 4. In paraneoplastic cases, the tumor was small cell lung cancer in 1 (with positive anti-Hu antibodies), and epidermoid lung cancer in the other. Eight patients were treated with immunotherapy, high dose intravenous methylprednisolone and/or intravenous immunoglobulin; with poor response in 4 cases, neurologic improvement in 5, and without any change in 1 patient. The present work shows the typical clinical and electrophysiological pattern of subacute sensory neuronopathy, and the relevance of early treatment.

Neuronopatía sensitiva: Su reconocimiento y tratamiento temprano / Sensory neuronopathy. Its recognition and early treatment

Las neuronopatías o ganglionopatías sensitivas, o enfermedades del ganglio dorsal, representan un subgrupo de enfermedades del sistema nervioso periférico, frecuentemente asociadas a trastornos disinmunes o paraneoplásicos, y a agentes tóxicos. Los pacientes típicamente presentan ataxia temprana, pérdida de los reflejos osteotendinosos y síntomas sensitivos positivos, presentes tanto en partes proximales como distales del cuerpo. Estudiamos retrospectivamente 10 casos con un diagnóstico final de neuronopatía sensitiva. El síntoma de presentación fue el de una neuropatía sensitiva de curso subagudo en todos los casos, con parestesias en el 100% de los casos. Otras manifestaciones fueron: hipoestesia (10/10), ataxia de la marcha (8/10), síntomas autonómicos (3/10) y parestesias periorales (3/10). La electrofisiología mostró un patrón de compromiso sensitivo axonal, con respuestas motoras normales. El diagnóstico final fue neuronopatía sensitiva adquirida en todos, asociada a síndrome de Sjögren en dos, a lupus eritematoso en uno, a artritis reumatoidea en uno, a cáncer en dos (paraneoplásica) e idiopática en cuatro. En los casos paraneoplásicos, los tumores fueron un carcinoma de pulmón de células pequeñas (con anticuerpos anti-Hu positivos) y un carcinoma epidermoide de pulmón. Ocho pacientes fueron tratados con inmunoterapia, con altas dosis de metilprednisolona endovenosa y/o con inmunoglobulina endovenosa; con pobre respuesta en cuatro casos, mejoría neurológica en cinco, y sin cambios en uno. El presente trabajo muestra el patrón clinico y electrofisiológico de las neuronopatías sensitivas subagudas, y la relevancia de un tratamiento temprano.

Sensory neuronopathies or ganglionopathies, or dorsal root ganglion disorders, represent a subgroup of peripheral nervous system diseases, frequently associated with dysinmune or neoplastic disorders and with toxic agents. A degeneration of both central and peripheral sensory proyections is present. Patients typically show early ataxia, loss of deep tendon reflexes and positive sensory symptoms present both in proximal and distal sites of the body. We retrospectively studied 10 cases with a final diagnosis of sensory neuronopathy. Sensory neuropathy was the presenting symptom and the course was subacute in all cases. Paresthesias in upper limbs were a predominant manifestation (100%). Other manifestations included: hypoesthesia (10/10), gait ataxia (8/10), autonomic symptoms (3/10) and perioral paresthesias (3/10). Electrophysiology showed sensory axonal neuronal pattern, with normal motor responses. Final diagnosis was acquired sensory neuronopathy in all patients, associated with Sjögren’s syndrome in 2, with lupus erythematosus in 1, with rheumatoid arthritis in 1, with a cancer in 2 (paraneoplastic) and idiopathic in 4. In paraneoplastic cases, the tumor was small cell lung cancer in 1 (with positive anti-Hu antibodies), and epidermoid lung cancer in the other. Eight patients were treated with immunotherapy, high dose intravenous methylprednisolone and/or intravenous immunoglobulin; with poor response in 4 cases, neurologic improvement in 5, and without any change in 1 patient. The present work shows the typical clinical and electrophysiological pattern of subacute sensory neuronopathy, and the relevance of early treatment.

Acute brachial plexus neuropathy with involvement of cranial nerves IX, X, XI and XII.

INTRODUCTION: Acute brachial plexus neuropathy is characterized by acute onset of shoulder girdle and arm pain, followed by weakness of the shoulder and arm muscles. It affects primarily nerves of the upper trunk of the brachial plexus and the long thoracic nerve. Cranial nerve involvement is an infrequent association and implies a diagnostic challenge. We report a unique case of acute brachial plexus neuropathy with involvement of the cranial nerves IX, X, XI and XII. CASE REPORT: Fifty six year-old woman who developed acute dysphonia, dysphagia and left shoulder pain, followed, six days later, by left arm weakness. Needle examination showed only fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves in the left deltoid muscle. MRI of the brachial plexus shows enlargement of the trunks, cords and terminal branches, with mild gadolinium enhancement. DISCUSSION: This case illustrates the unique presentation of neuralgic amyotrophy with involvement of nerves outside the brachial plexus, and the importance of MRI for diagnosis, in the absence of electrophysiologic involvement.

[Chronic inflammatory sensory polyradiculopathy]. / Polirradiculopatía inflamatoria crónica sensitiva.

Chronic inflammatory sensory polyradiculopathy is a defined entity, frequently underdiagnosed, and potentially treatable. It must be suspected in patients with sensory ataxia, normal nerve conduction studies, and MRI with thickened lumbosacral nerve roots and gadolinium enhancement. We present the case of a 57-year-old man with marked sensory ataxia on his left leg. Examination showed normal strength, decreased knee and ankle jerks. Light touch and pinprick sensations were reduced below the knees. Vibration and joint position sense were absent at the feet. Nerve conduction studies were normal. Tibial sensory evoked potentials disclosed absent responses bilaterally. CSF was acellular with elevated protein. Lumbosacral magnetic resonance showed thickening of roots, with gadolinium enhancement. The patient was treated with IV-Ig, 2 g/kg, for 5 days with improvement of symptoms. The clinical course, elevated CSF protein, the evidence of root enhancement on the MRI, good response to immunotherapy, and the exclusion of other causes of sensory ataxia, were compatible with the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory sensory polyradiculopathy. To diagnose this disease the identification of isolated involvement of the sensory roots is required.

Polirradiculopatía inflamatoria crónica sensitiva / Chronic inflammatory sensory polyradiculopathy

La polirradiculopatía inflamatoria crónica sensitiva es una entidad definida, frecuentemente subdiagnosticada y potencialmente tratable. Debe ser sospechada en pacientes con ataxia sensitiva, estudios de conducción nerviosa normales y una resonancia magnética que muestre engrosamiento y realce con gadolinio de las raíces lumbosacras. Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 57 años de edad con marcada ataxia sensitiva en pierna izquierda. Al examen físico presentaba fuerza conservada, reflejos osteotendinosos disminuidos, tacto fino y superficial reducidos por debajo de las rodillas; abatiestesia y apalestesia en ambos pies. Los estudios de conducción nerviosa eran normales, los potenciales evocados somatosensitivos tibiales con ausencia de respuesta bilateral. El líquido cefalorraquídeo presentaba hiperproteinorraquia sin células. La resonancia magnética mostró engrosamiento y realce con gadolinio de las raíces lumbosacras. El paciente fue tratado con inmunoglobulina endovenosa (IgEV) a 2 g/kg durante 5 días, con buena respuesta. La evolución clínica, la hiperproteinorraquia, el realce de raíces en la resonancia magnética, la buena respuesta a la inmunoterapia y la exclusión de otras causas de ataxia sensitiva fueron compatibles con el diagnóstico de polirradiculopatía inflamatoria crónica sensitiva. Para el diagnóstico de esta enfermedad se requiere la identificación del compromiso aislado de las raíces sensitivas.(AU)

Chronic inflammatory sensory polyradiculopathy is a defined entity, frequently underdiagnosed, and potentially treatable. It must be suspected in patients with sensory ataxia, normal nerve conduction studies, and MRI with thickened lumbosacral nerve roots and gadolinium enhancement. We present the case of a 57-year-old man with marked sensory ataxia on his left leg. Examination showed normal strength, decreased knee and ankle jerks. Light touch and pinprick sensations were reduced below the knees. Vibration and joint position sense were absent at the feet. Nerve conduction studies were normal. Tibial sensory evoked potentials disclosed absent responses bilaterally. CSF was acellular with elevated protein. Lumbosacral magnetic resonance showed thickening of roots, with gadolinium enhancement. The patient was treated with IV-Ig, 2 g/kg, for 5 days with improvement of symptoms. The clinical course, elevated CSF protein, the evidence of root enhancement on the MRI, good response to immunotherapy, and the exclusion of other causes of sensory ataxia, were compatible with the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory sensory polyradiculopathy. To diagnose this disease the identification of isolated involvement of the sensory roots is required.(AU)

Polirradiculopatía inflamatoria crónica sensitiva / Chronic inflammatory sensory polyradiculopathy

La polirradiculopatía inflamatoria crónica sensitiva es una entidad definida, frecuentemente subdiagnosticada y potencialmente tratable. Debe ser sospechada en pacientes con ataxia sensitiva, estudios de conducción nerviosa normales y una resonancia magnética que muestre engrosamiento y realce con gadolinio de las raíces lumbosacras. Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 57 años de edad con marcada ataxia sensitiva en pierna izquierda. Al examen físico presentaba fuerza conservada, reflejos osteotendinosos disminuidos, tacto fino y superficial reducidos por debajo de las rodillas; abatiestesia y apalestesia en ambos pies. Los estudios de conducción nerviosa eran normales, los potenciales evocados somatosensitivos tibiales con ausencia de respuesta bilateral. El líquido cefalorraquídeo presentaba hiperproteinorraquia sin células. La resonancia magnética mostró engrosamiento y realce con gadolinio de las raíces lumbosacras. El paciente fue tratado con inmunoglobulina endovenosa (IgEV) a 2 g/kg durante 5 días, con buena respuesta. La evolución clínica, la hiperproteinorraquia, el realce de raíces en la resonancia magnética, la buena respuesta a la inmunoterapia y la exclusión de otras causas de ataxia sensitiva fueron compatibles con el diagnóstico de polirradiculopatía inflamatoria crónica sensitiva. Para el diagnóstico de esta enfermedad se requiere la identificación del compromiso aislado de las raíces sensitivas.

Chronic inflammatory sensory polyradiculopathy is a defined entity, frequently underdiagnosed, and potentially treatable. It must be suspected in patients with sensory ataxia, normal nerve conduction studies, and MRI with thickened lumbosacral nerve roots and gadolinium enhancement. We present the case of a 57-year-old man with marked sensory ataxia on his left leg. Examination showed normal strength, decreased knee and ankle jerks. Light touch and pinprick sensations were reduced below the knees. Vibration and joint position sense were absent at the feet. Nerve conduction studies were normal. Tibial sensory evoked potentials disclosed absent responses bilaterally. CSF was acellular with elevated protein. Lumbosacral magnetic resonance showed thickening of roots, with gadolinium enhancement. The patient was treated with IV-Ig, 2 g/kg, for 5 days with improvement of symptoms. The clinical course, elevated CSF protein, the evidence of root enhancement on the MRI, good response to immunotherapy, and the exclusion of other causes of sensory ataxia, were compatible with the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory sensory polyradiculopathy. To diagnose this disease the identification of isolated involvement of the sensory roots is required.

Polirradiculopatía inflamatoria crónica sensitiva. / [Chronic inflammatory sensory polyradiculopathy].

Chronic inflammatory sensory polyradiculopathy is a defined entity, frequently underdiagnosed, and potentially treatable. It must be suspected in patients with sensory ataxia, normal nerve conduction studies, and MRI with thickened lumbosacral nerve roots and gadolinium enhancement. We present the case of a 57-year-old man with marked sensory ataxia on his left leg. Examination showed normal strength, decreased knee and ankle jerks. Light touch and pinprick sensations were reduced below the knees. Vibration and joint position sense were absent at the feet. Nerve conduction studies were normal. Tibial sensory evoked potentials disclosed absent responses bilaterally. CSF was acellular with elevated protein. Lumbosacral magnetic resonance showed thickening of roots, with gadolinium enhancement. The patient was treated with IV-Ig, 2 g/kg, for 5 days with improvement of symptoms. The clinical course, elevated CSF protein, the evidence of root enhancement on the MRI, good response to immunotherapy, and the exclusion of other causes of sensory ataxia, were compatible with the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory sensory polyradiculopathy. To diagnose this disease the identification of isolated involvement of the sensory roots is required.

Management strategies in posterior circulation intracranial atherosclerotic disease.

PURPOSE: To assess the short-term prognosis of patients with recent symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease in the posterior circulation and evaluate differences in the outcome of patients receiving medical or endovascular treatment. METHODS: The records of 50 consecutive patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease in the posterior circulation were reviewed to record the occurrence of transient ischemic attack, stroke, major bleeding, and/or death during the 12-month period following a neurological event. Twenty-five patients received medical treatment alone, 13 initially received medical treatment and subsequently were treated with angioplasty/stenting due to recurrent events (analyzed in both groups), and 12 patients received endovascular treatment initially. The crossover patients were considered as 1 treated patient in each group; thus, there were 38 subjects (33 men; mean age 68+/-9 years) receiving medical therapy compared with 25 patients (21 men; mean age 63+/-13 years) who underwent endovascular procedures. RESULTS: During the 12-month period, subjects in the medically-treated group had a higher rate of events (37%, 14/38) than patients who received angioplasty/stenting (12%, 3/25; p = 0.042). Notably, there were 7 (18%) TIAs and 6 (16%) strokes in medically-treated patients versus no TIAs (0%, p = 0.035) and only 2 (8%, p = NS) strokes in the endovascular group, both of which occurred within 48 hours of the procedure. There were no deaths and only a single major bleeding event in each group. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment of patients with symptomatic intracranial disease of the posterior territory appears to be associated with a substantially better outcome.