Autonomic instability and hypertension resulting in subarachnoid haemorrhage in the Guillain-Barre syndrome

We report the case of a 47-year-old woman with Guillain-Barre syndrome who developed autonomic instability and hypertension and subsequently developed a subarachnoid haemorrhage. This was manifested clinically by a seizure wh ich began focally and became generalised. Computer tomography demonstrated a localised haemorrhage in the left central sulcus. Control of the hyperten sion was achieved with intravenous labetolol. Autonomic instability and hyp ertension are frequently reported in Guillain-Barre syndrome. Subarachnoid haemorrhage is an uncommon but serious complication.