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Guillain-Barré syndrome

Case contributed by Ammar Haouimi
Diagnosis probable

Presentation

Weakness of the lower limbs of 5 days duration.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Male
mri

There is mild thickening with contrast enhancement on the conus medullaris and the nerve roots of the cauda equina.

The enhanced brain MR shows no cranial nerve enhancement.

Case Discussion

Guillain-Barré syndrome is diagnosed by the combination of clinical presentation, CSF studies as well as electrophysiological criteria. 

The only MRI findings are not specific, and can be seen in other conditions (see differential diagnosis in Guillain-Barré syndrome). MRI is requested to exclude other etiologies, such as transverse myelitis and compressive causes of polyradiculopathy, and when nerve conduction studies and CSF examination are equivocal.

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