An Oculopharyngeal Subtype of Guillain-Barré Syndrome Sparing the Trochlear and Abducens Nerves

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) comprises a group of polyneuropathies characterized by rapid progression of limb paralysis. Various subtypes of GBS have been reported. The oculopharyngeal subtype of GBS is currently understood to be primarily a cranial polyneuropathy without limb weakness or cerebellar ataxia. In our case of 62-year-old man, gastrointestinal infection was followed by paranesthesia of the hands. He had bilateral ptosis, pharyngeal disorder, and tongue and bifacial weakness. We diagnosed oculopharyngeal subtype of GBS. It responded to intravenous immunoglobulin. This case highlights the need for further characterization of unusual GBS subtypes.