Acute demyelinating polyneuropathy

Synonyms

Guillain-Barré syndrome, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, AIDP, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, acute axonal neuropathy, acute motor axonal neuropathy, acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy, Miller-Fischer syndrome (MFS).

Definition

Acute demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) also known as Guillain-Barré syndrome, is a rare disorder characterized by the acute onset of motor weakness, occasionally associated with sensory disruption. Several subtypes of AIDP have been described, including acute motor axonal and acute motor and sensory axonal polyneuropathy, in which inflammation-induced demyelination occurs, but the predominant manifestation is inflammatory axonal destruction. In addition, clinical variants have been described, such as Miller-Fischer syndrome, a clinical subtype of AIDP characterized by weakness of the extraocular muscles, ataxia, and decreased reflexes. Patients with AIDP typically present with the acute onset of weakness,...