Advances in the management of Guillain-Barré syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is the most common cause of acute paralysis, yet the pathogenesis has still not been fully elucidated and specific evidence-based consensus management guidelines have not been developed. This paper reviews the research of the past year dedicated to determining the pathogenesis of GBS, optimizing current management, and searching for more efficacious treatment alternatives. Several recent studies have investigated whether there are any particular factors that might predict the course of illness and, thereby, dictate the optimal treatment. Proposed evidence-based guidelines for elective intubation, admission to the intensive care unit, and overall management of GBS are summarized. Therapeutic plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin are both treatments that have been shown to have a beneficial effect on the course of GBS. Various modifications of plasmapheresis, as well as other alternative therapies, are currently being investigated.