Not Always as It Seems: A Case of Ascending Paralysis

Abstract

Although generally presenting as a chronic, progressive peripheral neuropathy, we present a case of acute alcoholic neuropathy initially mistaken for acute Guillain-Barré syndrome. Electrodiagnostic evaluation of alcoholic neuropathy reveals an axonal neuropathy and may be complicated by demyelination if comorbid nutritional deficiencies are present. This is in contrast to the significant demyelination classically associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome. F waves, which are absent or prolonged in Guillain-Barré syndrome, are unaffected in alcoholic neuropathy. Further evaluation with lumbar puncture demonstrates normal protein and white blood cell counts in alcoholic neuropathy, as opposed to albuminocytologic dissociation characteristically present in acute Guillain-Barré syndrome.