Miller-Fisher Syndrome

Classification according to ICD-10
G61.0	Guillain-Barré Syndrome
ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019)

The Miller-Fisher syndrome is a rare disorder of the peripheral nervous system, particularly the cranial nerve concerned and after the Canadian neurologist Charles Miller Fisher is named. This acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome . It can develop into Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The typical symptom triad consists of paralysis of the eye muscles ( ophthalmoplegia ), a disorder of the coordination of movements ( ataxia ) and the lack of reflexes ( areflexia ). In contrast to the Guillain-Barré syndrome , paralysis of the trunk and extremity muscles is not in the foreground.

The disease is accompanied by the formation of autoantibodies that are directed against the ganglioside GQ1b. Detection of these in the blood can be helpful diagnostically and also provide information on disease activity.

Diagnosis

• Liquor: increase in protein in the course,
• Serum: anti-GQ1b antibody,
• EMG / NLG: Predominantly axonal neuropathy, predominantly sensitive nerves affected.

Even in the absence of controlled studies, the disease is usually treated like Guillain-Barré syndrome with immunoglobulins or plasmapheresis.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Miller-Fisher: An unusual variant of acute idiopathic polyneuritis (syndrome of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and areflexia). In: N Engl J Med . 1956; 255 (2), pp. 57-65. PMID 13334797
2. ↑ Paparounas: Anti-GQ1b ganglioside antibody in peripheral nervous system disorders: pathophysiologic role and clinical relevance. In: Arch Neurol . 2004; 61 (7), pp. 1013-1016. PMID 15262730 full text
3. ↑ Overell include: Treatment for Fisher syndrome, Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis and related disorders. In: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007; (1), S. CD004761. PMID 17253522
4. ↑ Overell & Willison: Recent developments in Miller Fisher syndrome and related disorders. In: Current Opinion in Neurology 2005 Oct; 18 (5), pp. 562-566. PMID 16155441

This article is about a health issue. It is not used for self-diagnosis and does not replace a diagnosis by a doctor. Please note the information on health issues !