Concomitant idiopathic hypertrophic spinal pachymeningitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome in a patient: coincidence or a triggering mechanism?

Idiopathic hypertrophic spinal pachymeningitis (IHSP), a rare diffuse inflammatory thickening of the dura mater, and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are known entities but they have never been reported as concomitant diagnoses. To their knowledge, the authors present the first reported case in the international literature with supportive evidence for both IHSP (based on MRI, intraoperative, and histological findings) and GBS (based on history, clinical examination, and electrophysiological findings). They review the literature on IHSP and the diagnostic criteria for GBS, with the view of identifying a possible causative connection.

Anesthesia for cesarean section in parturient with Guillain Barre Syndrome: a case report.

Guillain Barre syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterized by an acute demyelinisation in the peripheral nervous system. It is an extremely rare situation during pregnancy. There are at present no recommendations concerning the mode of delivery and the anesthetic management. We report a case of Guillain Barre Syndrome at the 38 th week gestation proposed for cesarean section.

Bilateral Ankle and Subtalar Joint Fusion Secondary to Guillain Barré-Induced Foot Drop.

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a serious disorder that occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system. This leads to nerve inflammation and damage that can cause muscle weakness and/or paralysis, including foot drop. Therapy ranges from supportive measures, such as physical therapy, to surgical intervention. It appears from the published data that these patients, generally, have been left to their own devices, because no known cure is available, necessitating reliance on others for their daily activities and ambulation. We present a unique surgical option, with a follow-up period of 24 months, in which bilateral subtalar and ankle fusion allowed unassisted ambulation to a patient who might otherwise have never walked again.

[Ultrasonographic diagnosis of inflammatory neuropathies].

Ultrasonographic nerve enlargement has primarily been reported in patients with inflammatory neuropathies such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), multifocal motor neuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, vasculitic neuropathy and leprosy. Nerve ultrasonography is a promising diagnostic supportive tool for inflammatory neuropathies. The ultrasonographic findings that are currently useful are 1) nerve enlargement primarily suggests the existence of inflammatory or demyelinating neuropathies and 2) for patients with CIDP or demyelinating Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, the pattern of nerve enlargement is noted, and this pattern is useful for discriminating between these diseases. More precise evidence of ultrasonographic findings for inflammatory neuropathies should be established in the future.

Pure laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Guillain-Barre syndrome is an acute neuropathy that rarely compromises bladder function. Conservative management including clean intermittent catheterization and pharmacotherapy is the primary approach for hypocompliant contracted bladder. Surgical treatment may be used in refractory cases to improve bladder compliance and capacity in order to protect the upper urinary tract. We describe a case of pure laparoscopic augmentation ileocystoplasty in a patient affected by Guillain-Barre syndrome. PRESENTATION: A 15-year-old female, complaining of voiding dysfunction, recurrent urinary tract infection and worsening renal function for three months. A previous history of Guillain-Barre syndrome on childhood was related. A voiding cystourethrography showed a pine-cone bladder with moderate post-void residual urine. The urodynamic demonstrated a hypocompliant bladder and small bladder capacity (190 mL) with high detrusor pressure (54 cmH2O). Nonsurgical treatments were attempted, however unsuccessfully.

Adult-acquired flatfoot deformity following posterior tibialis to dorsum transfer: a case report.

A previous study showed that flatfoot deformity does not develop after posterior tibialis to dorsum transfer in patients with peroneal nerve palsy. Their conclusion was that it is the unopposed pull of the peroneus brevis which leads to the flatfoot deformity in posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. This case report presents a patient who developed a flatfoot deformity after posterior tibialis to dorsum transfer despite nonfunctioning peroneal muscles.

Coronary artery bypass surgery in Guillain Barre syndrome.

Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune inflammatory polyneuropathy with established acute phase morbidity and mortality. Despite the positive outcome in majority of cases, there is hesitance in subjecting these patients to major surgical interventions under general anaesthesia. This case documents the successful undertaking of major coronary artery grafting under cardiopulmonary bypass and general anaesthesia, in a GBS patient. A review of the pathology is presented and the controversy addressed.

[Translaryngeal tracheostomy in Bechterew's disease and Guillain-Barre syndrome]. / Translaryngeale Tracheostomie bei Morbus Bechterew und Guillain-Barré-Syndrom.

Recently, the Translaryngeal Tracheostomy (TLT) has been developed by Fantoni [1,2]. This new technique has been suggested for long-term ventilated intensive care patients as an alternative to other minimal invasive tracheostomy techniques like the Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy described by Ciaglia [3] or Griggs [4]. In comparison to these techniques, the main advantage of the TLT seems to be the access to the airway from inside the trachea to outside. This procedure minimizes the risk of luxations of parts of the tracheal wall into the tracheal lumen resulting in obstructive ventilatory problems. The often discussed risk of stomal infections associated with this technique due to a possible bacterial contamination of the mouth seems not to be clinically relevant. In the past minimal invasive tracheostomy techniques have only been recommended for patients with normal anatomical conditions and without any special risk factors. The present case report describes the successful performance of a TLT in a patient with a severe M. Bechterew and respiratory failure due to a Guillain-Barré-syndrome. This patient was at high risk for operative complications during a conventional surgical tracheostomy due to his underlying diseases.

Tracheostomy in Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Specific treatment has been shown to shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and could obviate the need for tracheostomy in a significant proportion of patients. However, the factors predictive of prolonged ventilation are undetermined, and the timing and use of tracheostomy in patients with GBS have not been systematically studied. The medical records of 60 patients ventilated for GBS were reviewed. Only 13 patients (22%) could be weaned within 3 weeks. Patients ventilated longer were significantly older (P = 0.04), and 21% had underlying pulmonary disease. Median duration of ventilation in patients treated with plasma exchange (n = 31) was not shortened. Fifty-two patients (87%) received a tracheostomy at a median of 9 days after intubation. In this series, where patients with comorbidity were included, tracheostomy was still necessary in the majority of ventilated patients. This procedure can be anticipated in elderly patients and in the presence of preexisting pulmonary disease.