Miller Fisher syndrome with central involvement: successful treatment with plasmapheresis

Abstract

Miller Fisher syndrome is characterized by external ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia. Most researchers favor a peripheral origin while others suggest a brainstem inflammatory lesion or a combination of central and peripheral demyelination. We report 2 cases of Miller Fisher syndrome with the typical triad of ataxia, areflexia, and ophthalmoplegia. Strong clinical evidence of central involvement included initial drowsiness, bilateral Babinski sign, and quadriparesis. Evoked potential studies showed prolongation of central conduction time. Plasmapheresis was performed to relieve respiratory failure in Patient 1 and to shorten the duration of nasogastric tube feeding due to severe bulbar palsy in Patient 2. Significant improvement of electrophysiologic parameters was recorded after plasmapheresis. Abnormal evoked potentials, together with clinical evidence of central nervous system abnormalities, support the hypothesis that there is a combination of peripheral and central involvement in Miller Fisher syndrome in our patients. Plasmapheresis is highly effective in relieving the profound neurological deficits of this atypical syndrome.