Guillain-Barre Syndrome Sensory Variant Mimicking Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy - A Case Report -

Case Report

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2014;16(2):85-88.
Published online December 31, 2014.

Received: 28 August 2014 • Revised: 24 October 2014 • Accepted: 19 November 2014

Abstract

Sensory variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome is characterized by acute onset, rapidly progressive, and symmetrical sensory deficit without motor weakness. Electrodiagnostic examination is also compatible with a predominant sensory neuropathy. We experienced a rare case of sensory variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome presenting similar clinical features of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). This case described a 74-year-old female with diabetes mellitus (DM) who presented with paresthesia on both hands and feet. Physical examination showed areflexia, impaired proprioception, sensory loss on both hands and feet, and ataxia. Electrodiagnostic examination revealed axonal type sensory neuropathy. In addition, cerebrospinal fluid study showed protein elevation. She received intravenous immunoglobulin therapy as a treatment of sensory variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome and symptoms improved dramatically thereafter. The possibility of sensory variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome should be considered as the differential diagnosis of DPN if DM patient has ataxia, areflexia, impaired proprioception and prompt immunoglobulin therapy should also be considered.

Key Words: sensory variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome, pure sensory neuropathy, acute sensory ataxic neuropathy