Delayed facial weakness in Guillain-Barré and Miller Fisher syndromes

Abstract

Introduction: Dr. C. Miller Fisher described the appearance of unilateral facial palsy after resolution of ataxia in a patient with the eponymic Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS). However, there have been very few reports of delayed appearance of facial weakness in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and MFS when the other neurological signs reached nadir or started improving.

Methods: In this study we reviewed the clinical and laboratory findings of consecutive patients with GBS (n=195) and MFS (n=68).

Results: Delayed facial weakness occurred in 12 (6%) GBS and 4 (6%) MFS patients and was unilateral in 5 (42%) GBS and 2 (50%) MFS patients. In those patients with delayed facial weakness, neither limb weakness nor ataxia progressed, and facial weakness disappeared without immunotherapy.

Conclusions: Because facial weakness can lead to further morbidity, it would be prudent for clinicians to warn patients of this possibility, although additional immunotherapy is usually not required.

Keywords: Guillain-Barré syndrome; Miller Fisher syndrome; acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; acute motor axonal neuropathy; facial palsy; facial weakness.