Flaccid paralysis [guillian barre like syndrome] in Sudanese patients

ABSTRACT

To study clinical presentation of 24 Sudanese patients who had flaccid paralysis. The study was conducted in Elshaab Teaching Hospital [Sudan] in the period from January 2005 to November 2005, 24 patients were included in the study. A full detailed history and proper clinical examinations were performed by the authors. A list of investigations were done including urine, stool analysis, complete haemogram, urea and electrolytes BFFM, liver function test, Lumbar, Dorsal or Cervical MRI if needed, Brain M.R.I, nerve conduction study and C.S.F analysis. The study for viral infection revealed no evidence of circulating antibodies. Out of 24 patients 12 were males and 12 were females, fever was the commonest prodromal symptoms. Weakness of upper or lower limbs occurred either 24 or 48 hours following the prodromal symptoms. The facial nerve was the commonest cranial nerves affected. Four patients had sphincteric disturbances. Twelve patients had sensory disturbances. Two patients had respiratory muscles involvement and one patient had autonomic nervous system involvement. CNS showed an evidence of demylination in 16 patients while four had both demylination and axonal degeneration. CSF analysis revealed heigh proteins in eight patients. All patients showed remarkable improvement. This was acute paralysis which mimics G.B.S