Neuropathological changes of central nervous system in Guillain-Barré syndrome / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective 　To investigate the neuropathological changes of central nervous system in Guillain-Barré syndrom. Methods　Brain, spinal cord and sciatic nerve were obtained from 22 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Eight cases were examined by general autopsy, 14 cases were examined by limited autopsy. HE, KB, Bielschowsky, Weil and Sudan Ⅲ　staining were carried out, the sections were observed by light microscopy. Results　1.Cerebral superficial veins congested, widening of the cortical sulci, narrowed gyri and mild cerebellar tonsillar hernia were present. 2. Majority of cerbral neurons presented an ischemic changes. Slightly loss of hippocampal pyramidal neurons were found. There was chromatolysis of motor neurons of brain stem. Lymphocytic infiltration around the small vessels occurred in the pons and medullary oblongata in 8 cases. Focal demyelination was noted in pons and frontal white matter in 2 cases. Loss of Purkinje cells and appearance of glial nodules were observed in molecular layer of cerebellum. 3. Swellin, central chromatolysis and eccentric nuclei of anterior horn cells appeared in 16 cases, which were pronounced in cervical and lumbal segment of spinal cord. Vaculated neuroplasma and lymphacytic infiltrition could be seen. 4. Segmental demyelination and lymphocytic infiltration were the main neuropathological changes observed in 20 cases. There were two other cases in which the axon were severely involved, which showed swelling and breakdown of axons and as well as axonal bulbs. Conclusions　1. Lymphocytic infiltration in brain stem and spinal cord were in continuousness of pathological changes of peripheral nerves. 2. Finding of glial nodules suggested that there was possibility of infection of neurotropic virus. 3. Occurence of focal demyelination in cerebrum and brain stem indicated that Guillain-Barré syndrome may have combined involvement of central and peripheral nervous system.