title: Guillain-Barré and Miller Fisher syndromes--new diagnostic classification.
abstract: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and its variant, Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), exist as several clinical subtypes with different neurological features and presentations. Although the typical clinical features of GBS and MFS are well recognized, current classification systems do not comprehensively describe the full spectrum of either syndrome. In this Perspectives article, GBS and MFS are classified on the basis of current understanding of the common pathophysiological profiles of each disease phenotype. GBS is subclassified into classic and localized forms (for example, pharyngeal-cervical-brachial weakness and bifacial weakness with paraesthesias), and MFS is divided into incomplete (for example, acute ophthalmoparesis, acute ataxic neuropathy) and CNS subtypes (Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis). Diagnostic criteria based on clinical characteristics are suggested for each condition. We believe this approach to be more inclusive than existing systems, and argue that it could facilitate early clinical diagnosis and initiation of appropriate immunotherapy.
authors: Department of Neurology, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Great Western Road, Gloucester GL1 3NN, UK.
authors: Benjamin R
authors: BR
authors: Wakerley
authors: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio, Via dei Vestini 31, Chieti 66013, Italy.
authors: Antonino
authors: A
authors: Uncini
authors: Departments of Medicine and Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Unit 09-01, Centre for Translational Medicine, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore.
authors: Nobuhiro
authors: N
authors: Yuki
mesh_terms: D020275:Guillain-Barre Syndrome / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D019846:Miller Fisher Syndrome / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy