Unusual phenotype of acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy with ophthalmoplegia, and anti-GD1a, -GD1b and -GM1 antibodies

Background

Acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) is a severe form of Guillain–Barré syndrome, which typically is not related to ocular palsy, and is pathologically associated with antibodies against GM1 and GD1a gangliosides.

Case presentation

We present a patient with a severe, drug-resistant form of AMSAN with ophthalmoplegia related to antiganglioside (anti-GD1a, -GD1b, -GM1) antibodies in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid, and with a poor long-term outcome.

Conclusions

Rare cases of AMSAN with ophthalmoplegia are described in the literature. The present patient is a case of an unusual clinical phenotype of AMSAN, the characteristics of which warn of a serious clinical course that requires timely aggressive treatment.