Neurological Emergencies—Guillain-Barre Syndrome

What is going on?

This fellow is developing a rapidly ascending quadriplegia. This is not good.

The clinical history is consistent with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a subacute ascending symmetric polyneuropathy. This disease often commences after a viral illness and typically ascends, knocking motor out and leaving sensory and sphincter function relatively unaffected.

Prognosis is not bad, if he can get over the initial episode of the disease.