A case of Guillain-Barré syndrome with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Acute inflammatory polyneuropathy or Guillain-Barré syndrome may be associated with glomerulonephritis, especially membranous nephropathy. This paper details the case of a 73-year-old woman presenting with acute onset of Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with an abnormal urinary sediment and significant proteinuria. Renal biopsy was consistent with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Despite an initial response to plasmapheresis, the patient's polyneuropathy deteriorated and subsequently improved with corticosteroid therapy. Simultaneously, her proteinuria and urinary sediment also improved. This implies that this was not a chance association. A brief discussion of the association between Guillain-Barré syndrome and glomerulopathies is undertaken.