Background: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune polyneuropathy affecting the peripheral nervous system. This neurological disorder has been previously reported in bone marrow transplant recipients but is uncommon after kidney transplantation. Viral infections and calcineurin inhibitors are the main triggers of GBS in renal transplant recipients.
Case presentation: In this report, we present a case of a 47-year-old male patient 12 years after his second kidney transplantation who developed GBS due to papillary renal cell carcinoma. Infectious and drug-related origins of GBS were excluded. Despite intensive treatment, graftectomy was performed, after which neurological symptoms resolved.
Conclusions: In kidney transplant recipients, paraneoplastic aetiology should be considered in the differential diagnosis of GBS.
Keywords: Guillain-Barré syndrome; Kidney; Kidney transplantation; Papillary renal cell carcinoma.