Pharyngeal-Brachial-Cervical variant Guillain-Barre Syndrome in Children: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a post-infectious neuropathy typically described as a bilateral ascending paralysis of the lower extremities. There are, however, multiple lesser known subtypes of the syndrome that can affect both adult and pediatric populations. The Pharyngeal- Brachial-Cervical (PCB) variant is one of the rarer forms, which presents with weakness of the neck, oropharynx, and upper extremities. This atypical presentation can be confused with other diagnoses, and early detection is important for preventing potentially life-threatening complications. To date, only ten cases of this entity have been reported in children. Below we report on a 15-year-old female who presented with left arm weakness who subsequently progressed to classic GBS and review the literature on this GBS variant in children.