Management of Guillain-Barré syndrome

Guillain-Barré syndrome is now the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis. Although modern intensive care facilities have significantly reduced the mortality associated with this monophasic immune mediated neuropathy, up to 5% of patients do not survive and 10% are left unable to walk unaided. Supportive medical care remains the most important aspect of management but both plasmapheresis and iv. immunoglobulin have been shown to hasten recovery when given in the early stages of the illness. This article summarizes the current management of Guillain-Barré syndrome, including both supportive measures and immune modulating therapy.