Sural sparing pattern in the diagnosis of guillian barre syndrome in children

Abstract

Sural sparing pattern is believed to be important early neurophysiologic change of GuillainBarresyndrome (GBS) in adult and it is considered one of the diagnostic criteria for early GBS, but in children, there are limited studies to define its importance. This study aims to find the role of sural sparing pattern in the detection of GBS in children. The study involves 22child presented with classical features of GBS.Then the diagnosis was confirmed using serial electrodiagnostic testing and CSF examination. Then they undergo full neurological and neurophysiological assessment by nerve conduction study and electromyography. Sural sparing is defined as decrease in the ratio of sensory amplitude between ulnar and sural nerves compared to age and sex matched control. The study found that sural sparing pattern is a sensitive (83%) and specific (92%) finding in GBS. We conclude that sural sparing pattern is useful marker for diagnosis of GBS in children.