Miller fisher syndrome: 10 years' experience in a third-level center

There are few studies regarding the clinical characteristics of Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) in the Latin-American population.

A retrospective analysis was made of the clinical characteristics, neurophysiology, treatment and prognosis of MFS patients between 1995 and 2005.

Nineteen MFS cases were documented, 12 of which did not receive immunosuppressive therapy. In both groups, the mean age was 36 years, 84% were male; onset in spring and fall was also predominant (73%), and antecedents of respiratory disease were found (79%). The mean duration of infectious symptoms was 7 days (1-11 days), and the mean interval between the onset of the infection and neurological symptoms was 7 days (1-30 days). The principal sign of onset was diplopia (63%). The mean delay between the onset of neurological symptoms and the beginning of recovery from ataxia, ophthalmoplegia and areflexia was 10 (1-30 days), 11 (1-30 days) and 14 (4-45 days) days, respectively, and the mean delay of the disappearance of ataxia, ophthalmoplegia and areflexia was 35 (10-121 days), 93 (18-244 days) and 64 (10-650 days) days, respectively. There was no significant difference between the group that received immunosuppression and the one that did not.

The natural course of MSF is characterized by excellent recovery; there were no differences between the two groups.