Autonomic instability and hypertension resulting in subarachnoid haemorrhage in the Guillain-Barré syndrome.
We report the case of a 47-year-old woman with Guillain-Barré syndrome who developed autonomic instability and hypertension and subsequently developed a subarachnoid haemorrhage. This was manifested clinically by a seizure which began focally and became generalised. Computer tomography demonstrated a localised haemorrhage in the left central sulcus. Control of the hypertension was achieved with intravenous labetolol. Autonomic instability and hypertension are frequently reported in Guillain-Barré syndrome. Subarachnoid haemorrhage is an uncommon but serious complication.
Gande
A R
AR
Southampton General Hospital, UK. RGande@aol.com
Taylor
I R
IR
Nolan
K M
KM
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007741:Labetalol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D007741:Labetalol