Late residua of acute idiopathic polyneuritis

This paper describes the long-term effects of acute idiopathic polyneuritis (Guillain-Barre syndrome) in four patients who experienced near-total paralysis. The patients' recovery patterns varied significantly, with two achieving complete recovery within a year, while the other two experienced lasting disabilities. The differing recovery rates are attributed to the extent of nerve damage: patients with primarily segmental demyelination recovered fully, whereas those with significant axon destruction experienced incomplete recovery due to the slow process of nerve regeneration. A key observation was the degeneration of the posterior white columns of the spinal cord in one patient, which was not caused by the loss of posterior root fibers. This finding suggests a unique disease mechanism affecting the central nervous system.

• 1
  The extent of axonal destruction during the acute phase of idiopathic polyneuritis is a key determinant of long-term recovery.
• 2
  Recovery from polyneuritis depends on the type of nerve damage; segmental demyelination allows for more complete recovery than axonal destruction, which relies on slower nerve regeneration.
• 3
  Degeneration of the posterior columns of the spinal cord can occur in severe cases of polyneuritis, independent of posterior root fiber loss, indicating a more complex disease process.