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Case Reports
. 2012 Oct 19:2012:bcr2012007077.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-007077.

Unilateral facial palsy in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS): a rare occurrence

Affiliations
Case Reports

Unilateral facial palsy in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS): a rare occurrence

Rajesh Verma et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a postinfectious, autoimmune disorder which, apart from limb weakness, is characterised by cranial nerve involvement. Bilateral facial nerve palsy is the most common pattern of cranial nerve involvement in GBS. However, unilateral facial palsy, although uncommon, can be seen in GBS. We report a rare case of unilateral facial palsy in GBS and importance of electrophysiological tests including blink study in such cases has been emphasised.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Patient photograph of the face revealed unilateral right-sided facial palsy. (B) At follow-up, patient photograph showed partial facial recovery.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Facial nerve motor and blink studies (A and B, right and left facial—orbicularis oculi; C and D, right and left facial—nasalis; E and F, right and left blink reflexes).

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