title: Multiple cranial neuropathy variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome: a case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prompt identification of the rare cranial variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is crucial, but the clinical characteristics remain poorly defined.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective review of 12 GBS patients hospitalized from 1995 to 2009 with multiple cranial nerve (CN) impairment at disease onset.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight patients had impairment of CN IX and X; 3 of CN VII; and 1 of CN VII, IX, and X. All patients had areflexia or hyporeflexia, 6 had Lasegue sign, and 5 required tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation. All patients had cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) albuminocytologic dissociation within 2-3 weeks after onset. Electrophysiological studies showed motor conduction velocity and F-wave abnormalities in 10 of 12 and 10 of 11 patients, respectively. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin was effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bilateral CN IX, X, and/or VII impairment with areflexia or hyporeflexia, early abnormal F-wave response, nerve conduction abnormalities, and CSF albuminocytologic dissociation support a diagnosis of this GBS cranial variant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Tianhui Road 270, Rongdu Street, Chengdu 610083, China. wqs832001@sina.com
authors.forename: Qingsong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Ke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Congyang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003389:Cranial Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003391:Cranial Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*