One of the varieties of the rare Guillain-Barré syndrome, which is an offshoot from a clear picture of the processes occurring in the body of a sick person, is Miller-Fischer syndrome. It is characterized by a triad of signs that manifest equally in all patients.
Definition
Guillain – Barré syndrome is a rare occurrence. In medical practice, its indicators are 1-2 people per hundred thousand people. It manifests itself more often in men and has two peaks of its activity:
- young age - 20-24 years;
- elderly - 70-74 years.
He is well known to neurologists and has a number of characteristic features, confirmed by the delivery of cerebrospinal fluid tests. In addition to the classical course of this disease, Fisher Miller's syndrome, described by this American neuropathologist back in 1956, occurs.
Symptoms
The disease is extremely rare and refers to acute inflammatory autoimmune diseases in which the myelin nerves are affected. At the beginning and with further development, Miller-Fisher syndrome always manifests itself identically and consists of the following series of characteristic symptoms:
- Areflexia - there is a sharp fading, and subsequently a complete absence of limb reflexes;
- ataxia - cerebellar disorders;
- ophthalmoplegia - paralysis of the muscles of the eye, often external, and in complex cases, internal;
- trapeza and paralysis of the respiratory muscles - develop in severe, advanced cases.
With the correct definition of symptoms and timely initiation of treatment, the disease proceeds benignly, does not cause complications and often ends with a spontaneous recovery.
Causes
With timely access to a doctor for several weeks or months, Miller-Fisher syndrome can be cured. Until how many live with a similar disease, it is not exactly clear how the reasons for its appearance are not clear. But for most people with this diagnosis, experts promise the most favorable forecasts. The full restoration of all functions in the body with proper and appropriate treatment takes a maximum of ten weeks. And only a small number of patients with advanced cases require a number of additional medical measures.
Some medical figures say that often the usual vaccination becomes the cause of this pathology. In a number of cases, it was detected after severely transferred viral diseases, sometimes symptoms appeared after prolonged treatment of a number of complex infections. Family cases of the development of the disease are also known, suggesting a genetic predisposition of the body to this pathology.
Clinical indicators
Leading complaints that the patient provides are primarily expressed in the following aspects:
- weakness, loss of strength, lack of energy, possible dizziness;
- difficulty in chewing, and a little later with speech;
- difficulty walking and self-care;
- frequent numbness of the hands and feet, wave-like pains in the limbs.
It is downward paralysis - a violation in the movement of the eyes, and then other extremities (the feeling of the presence of gloves on the hands) that manifests Miller-Fisher syndrome. Symptoms are very similar to Heine-Barre syndrome, but this type of pathology has ascending paralysis - from the lower body to the upper.
In addition to weakness of the oculomotor muscles, impaired coordination and complete loss of reflexes, a number of minor symptoms can be detected in the patient, contributing to a more accurate diagnosis.
- The temperature sensitivity of the skin is noticeably lower.
- The patient is practically not sensitive to pain.
- Swallowing saliva becomes difficult.
- Intermittent speech, words unpronounceable.
- There is no gag reflex.
- Complaints of problems with the bladder.
Some symptoms, such as muscle weakness and difficulty speaking, can occur completely spontaneously. They clearly indicate a serious complication of the situation and require immediate expert advice.
Diagnostics
To accurately identify Miller-Fisher syndrome, a number of necessary studies are required.
- A mandatory visit to a neurologist who conducts an examination and identifies all possible violations of a neurological nature.
- Spinal puncture is indicated. In most cases, it reveals high protein indicators characteristic of this disease.
- PCR analysis - allows you to determine the possible pathogen. It can be a herpes virus, Epstein-Barr, cytomegalovirus and others.
- Often, the specialist additionally prescribes computed tomography, which helps to identify possible concomitant pathologies of a neurological nature.
- A mandatory blood test is given showing the presence of antiganglioside antibodies. This is a clear indicator of the presence of the inflammatory process, a positive result of this analysis becomes an accurate confirmation of the diagnosis.
Miller-Fisher syndrome requires a comprehensive and most accurate diagnosis, electroneuromyography, a differential analysis comparing symptoms with a number of similar diseases are used.
Therapy
The treatment of this disease includes a set of measures aimed at suppressing the immune response and purifying the blood of antibodies. Proper supportive and symptomatic therapy can completely eliminate Miller-Fisher syndrome in a short time. Treatment under the guidance of an experienced specialist leads to the most positive results and complete recovery. In extremely rare cases (only three percent of the total indicator) relapses are possible, suggesting an additional course of complex therapy.
- An assessment of the respiratory system is carried out, in cases where it is difficult for the patient to move independently, a hospital is appointed with constant medical supervision.
- During the first five days (no later than two weeks after the first detection of symptoms), plasmapheresis and immunoglobulin are prescribed.
- Anticoagulants are used to prevent possible venous thrombosis.
- Constant monitoring of blood pressure is required, as its sharp changes can lead to serious complications.
- Additionally, classes with a speech therapist are conducted.