Concomitant idiopathic hypertrophic spinal pachymeningitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome in a patient: coincidence or a triggering mechanism?

J Neurosurg Spine. 2017 Sep;27(3):335-340. doi: 10.3171/2017.3.SPINE161112. Epub 2017 Jun 23.

Abstract

Idiopathic hypertrophic spinal pachymeningitis (IHSP), a rare diffuse inflammatory thickening of the dura mater, and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are known entities but they have never been reported as concomitant diagnoses. To their knowledge, the authors present the first reported case in the international literature with supportive evidence for both IHSP (based on MRI, intraoperative, and histological findings) and GBS (based on history, clinical examination, and electrophysiological findings). They review the literature on IHSP and the diagnostic criteria for GBS, with the view of identifying a possible causative connection.

Keywords: AMSAN = acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy; APTT = activated partial thromboplastin time; GBS = Guillain-Barré syndrome; Guillain-Barré syndrome; IHSP = idiopathic hypertrophic spinal pachymeningitis; acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy; diagnostic technique; idiopathic hypertrophic spinal pachymeningitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / complications*
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / diagnostic imaging
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / surgery
  • Humans
  • Meningitis / complications*
  • Meningitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Meningitis / physiopathology
  • Meningitis / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Spinal Cord / diagnostic imaging