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Journal of Pediatric Neurology 2021; 19(04): 286-289
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1716911
Case Report

Unilateral Facial Palsy in an Adolescent with Guillain–Barré Syndrome

Emanuela Claudia Turco 
1   Child Neuropsychiatric Unit, Department of Maternal and Child Health, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
,
Benedetta Piccolo
1   Child Neuropsychiatric Unit, Department of Maternal and Child Health, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
,
Francesco Pisani
1   Child Neuropsychiatric Unit, Department of Maternal and Child Health, Parma University Hospital, Parma, Italy
2   Neuroscience Section, Child Neuropsychiatric Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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Abstract

Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most common and most severe acute demyelinating polyneuropathy with ∼0.8 to 1.1/100,000 incidence in pediatric population. Unlike adult patients, incidence of facial nerve involvement in children with GBS has not yet been determined possibly because of rare use of magnetic resonance imaging in childhood-onset GBS. In the present study, we describe a girl with GBS who presented unilateral peripheral facial palsy, confirmed by neuroimaging and electrophysiological evaluation. We suggest that both neuroimaging and detailed electrophysiological evaluation should be integrated into the work-up of such patients. We also wish to highlight the importance of evaluating cranial nerve involvement as a potential indicator of severity of disease.

Keywords

facial palsy - Guillain–Barré syndrome - neuroimaging and electrophysiological evolution


Publication History

Received: 10 June 2020

Accepted: 17 August 2020

Article published online:
01 October 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
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