Pharyngeal-Cervical-Brachial Variant of Guillain–Barré Syndrome in Pregnancy

Pharyngeal-cervical-brachial (PCB) variant is a rare subtype of Guillain Barre's Syndrome (GBS) with typically rapidly progressive oropharyngeal and cervicobrachial muscle weakness and areflexia in the upper extremities. 31-year-old female patient at the 24th week of pregnancy was admitted to our clinic with a one week old rapid onset weakness in the right hand, difficulty in speech and swallowing. She had bilateral facial and upper extremities weakness and her pharyngeal reflex was decreased. In the EMG performed bilateral upper extremities, local motor axonal polyneuropathy was observed in the motor fibers. CSF protein level was found to be 89mg/dl. No cell was seen. In a study done on 250GBS patients, the incidence of PCB variant was 3%. PCB variant of GBS has never been reported during pregnancy previously. It should be kept in mind in patients with oropharyngeal and cervicobrachial weakness for utilization of early prompt treatment.