[Guillain-Barré syndrome as differential diagnosis of intervertebral disk-induced nerve root compression].
BACKGROUND
Diagnosis of Guillian-Barré Syndrome usually is not difficult, but diagnostic failure occurs for the variable initial presentation. Diagnosis is based on physical examination showing loss of motor strength in more than one limb and loss of deep tendon reflexes. Ventilatory assistance, pharmacologic maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis, corticosteroids, IgG and plasma exchange are the dominant therapeutic measures.


METHODS
This article reports on a case of a 59-year old surgeon suffering from degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine. The patient developed a severe course of the Guillian-Barré Syndrome with persisting motor weakness of the legs.


CONCLUSIONS
If the primary problem at presentation is limb and back pain the pathology appears to be in the musculoskeletal rather than in neurological system. The awareness of this presentation of Guillian-Barré-Syndrome will eliminate delay in diagnosis.
Perlick
L
L
Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn.
Möller
G
G
Wallny
T
T
Schmitt
O
O
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed