Electroneurophysiological detection and clinical observation in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome

Objective:To explore the electroneurophysiological characteristics in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome(GBS)and observe the clinical features.Methods:Motor nerve conduction velocity(MCV),sensory merve conduction velocity(SCV),F waves and EMG were determined twice in 42 patients with GBS diagnosed clinically.The first examination was performed at the beginning of hospitalization and the second one a month later.In the former,MCV of 266 motor nerves,SCV of 168 sensory ones,F waves of 84 nerves and EMG of 141 muscles were detected and reinspected a month later.Results:Prolongation of the distal latency was found in 71%,reduction of MCV in 59%,fall of MCV amplitude in 37%,reduction of SCV in 54%,abnormality of F waves in 90%,EMG revealed neurogenic damages in 35%.Entire recovery was found in 74% in the follow-up examination.Conclusion:GBS might result in widespread peripheral nerve damages with nerve demyelination as the dominant electroneurophysiological feature,sometimes accompanied by axone degeneration.The abnormality can be found in the forepart of the disease but their recoveries are behind that of the clinic especially in those with axone damages.The electroneurophysiological detection may be a very important method for diagnosing GBS.