Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome as the initial manifestation of Guillain-Barre syndrome : Case report and review of the literature

We report a 63-year-old female patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome revealed after posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. The onset was characterized by hypertension, headache, and cortical blindness, followed a few days later by progressive limb and facial paresis, dysautonomia, and respiratory failure. Treatment with plasmapheresis led to a rapid improvement of the clinical picture and the disappearance of magnetic resonance abnormalities. This report reviews the literature on this unusual association and discusses possible pathophysiological mechanisms.