Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40470408›Full record

ArticleCureus2025

Atypical Overlap Presentation in Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Lessons From a Case Report.

Arpita Sharma, Saurabh Singhal, Vishal Vishnoi, Yashendra Sethi

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Arpita SharmaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Meerut, IND.
Saurabh SinghalDepartment of Internal Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Meerut, IND.
Vishal VishnoiDepartment of Internal Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Meerut, IND.
Yashendra SethiDepartment of Internal Medicine, Subharti Medical College, Meerut, IND.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute, immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathy characterized by rapidly progressive limb weakness and areflexia. While the classical form is well-recognized, variants such as Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) and Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis (BBE) also exist, each with distinct clinical features. Rarely, these syndromes may present in combination, forming GBS-MFS-BBE overlap syndromes. These atypical presentations pose significant diagnostic challenges that may delay the initiation of appropriate treatment. We report the case of a 60-year-old male who initially presented with pain and weakness of the left upper limb, which progressed rapidly over 72 hours to symmetrical quadriplegia, bulbar dysfunction (including dysphagia and dysarthria), complete ophthalmoplegia, and altered sensorium suggestive of encephalopathy. Neurological examination revealed areflexia and bilateral facial weakness. Initial nerve conduction studies (NCSs) indicated a possible axonal plexopathy; however, follow-up NCSs performed on day 5 showed findings consistent with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Given the combination of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, encephalopathy, and demyelinating features, the diagnosis of a GBS-MFS-BBE overlap syndrome was made. The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) at a total dose of 2 g/kg administered over five days. Due to progressive respiratory failure, he required mechanical ventilation. Supportive care included intensive monitoring and physiotherapy. Neurological recovery was gradual, with successful weaning from the ventilator by day 25. At discharge on day 30, the patient had improved to a Medical Research Council (MRC) grade of 3/5 in all four limbs. This case illustrates the clinical complexity and diagnostic uncertainty associated with GBS-MFS-BBE overlap syndromes. Early recognition and prompt initiation of immunotherapy, such as IVIG, are essential to improving outcomes and reducing long-term morbidity. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for atypical features, particularly in rapidly evolving neuromuscular presentations.

Indexed as

bickerstaff encephalitisguillain-barré syndromeivigmiller fisher syndromeoverlap syndrome

Identifiers

PMID40470408
PMCPMC12136114

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.