EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF GUILLAIN-BARRE-SYNDROM E BY ELECTRICAL SIMULATIONSOF CERVICAL ROOTS

Ulnar nerve electrical stimulations from motor roots to wrist were use d in the early Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), to improve the electroph ysiological diagnosis yield. 22 patients with a GBS were investigated with this technique between 3 to 17 days after the onset. Conventional electrophysiological examination was sufficient to diagnose an Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy in 12 cases. In 10 other pat ients, standard examination remained negative or not conclusive, and v ertebral electrical stimulations were decisive for the diagnosis, show ing conduction bloks. This method could be routinely performed for an early diagnosis, in association with conventionnal motor conduction me asurements. This study confirms the possibility of a pure proximal dem yelinating impairment of the peripheral nervous system in the early GB S.