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PubMed · 16442797

Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis: can it recur?

Vijay Sharma·Y C Chan·Ong·H L Teoh·E P Wilder-Smith
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Abstract

Bickerstaff's brain-stem encephalitis is usually a monophasic post-viral inflammatory illness characterized by progressive ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and disturbance of consciousness (or hyper-reflexia). Since the clinical spectrum of Bickerstaff encephalitis may overlap with the Miller-Fisher and Guillain-Barré syndromes, the presence of anti- GQ1b antibodies and abnormal brain MRI can help to support its diagnosis. However, absence of anti-GQ1b antibodies and normal MRI do not exclude the diagnosis, which remains based on clinical criteria and exclusion of other etiologies. We report a case of recurrent Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis with no identifiable antecedent illness, and overlapping features of Miller Fisher and Guillain-Barré syndromes, in the presence of negative anti-GQ1b antibodies and repeatedly normal MRI of the brain.

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Brain StemConsciousnessElectroencephalographyEncephalitisGangliosidesGlasgow Coma ScaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMiller Fisher SyndromeNeurologic ExaminationOphthalmoplegiaParalysisPhysical Therapy ModalitiesRecurrenceCase ReportsJournal Article

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BibTeXRIS

Vijay Sharma, Y C Chan, Ong, H L Teoh, E P Wilder-Smith. 2006-01-26. Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis: can it recur?. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2005.01.011

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