Diagnostic Criteria and Serial Nerve Conduction Study for Guillain-Barré Syndrome Subtype Diagnosis

Abstract

The nerve conduction study (NCS) is a helpful test used for identifying Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) subtypes. However, the comparison of values between single and serial NCS has not been well documented. To evaluate the current electrophysiological criteria for the diagnosis of GBS subtypes and to examine the value of single NCS as compared to serial NCS. Retrospective review of 44 patients with GBS from two tertiary hospitals in Thailand. Comparing demyelinating criteria revealed that Albers’ criteria had the highest sensitivity (98%) and Cornblath’s criteria had the lowest (53%). Ten percent of patients were reclassified from demyelinating to axonal subtypes after a second NCS. In addition, the demyelinating pattern was more prevalent in the tibial, peroneal and median nerves. Albers’ criteria had the greatest sensitivity for diagnosing GBS. Performing additional NCS would increase diagnostic accuracy and, as a minimum, the tibial, peroneal and median nerves should be tested.