Guillain-Barré syndrome following sepsis after stereotactic aspiration for spontaneous pontine hemorrhage

Neurol Sci. 2012 Jun;33(3):657-60. doi: 10.1007/s10072-011-0823-x. Epub 2011 Oct 18.

Abstract

A 52-year-old female was treated with CT-guided stereotactic aspiration for acute spontaneous pontine hemorrhage. On postoperative day 7, the patient was complicated by Acinetobacter baumannii sepsis. As sepsis was stabilized, she developed flaccid weakness and autonomic dysfunction on postoperative day 21. Investigations including neurophysiological studies and cerebral spinal fluid analysis prompted the diagnosis of acute motor axonal neuropathy, a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Intravenous administration of immunoglobulin resolved her potentially life-threatening autonomic instability. At 1-year follow-up, she was able to stand with significant assistance. Although Guillain-Barré syndrome rarely occurs, clinicians should be alert to the possibility of this potentially life-threatening consequence after cranial surgery with severe respiratory infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / pathology
  • Intracranial Hemorrhages / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Pons / physiopathology
  • Pons / surgery
  • Sepsis / complications*
  • Sepsis / etiology*
  • Stereotaxic Techniques / adverse effects*
  • Suction / adverse effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed