Guillain Barre Syndrome Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods

Conditions & Diseases: Brain & Nervous System

Guillain Barré Syndrome

Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods/Tools

To correctly diagnose GBS, various tests are carried out in addition to examining the symptoms for symmetry - symptoms appear on both sides of the body. The doctor will take a medical history and eating habits, alcohol consumption and recent infections are also taken into account.

Normal diagnostic tests include blood tests, urine tests, x-rays, scans lumbar puncture, Nerve Conduction Velocity test (NCV), Electromyogram (EMG) and Electrocardiogram (ECG).

A lumbar puncture or spinal tap is carried out to extract and analyze the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Excess protein with no increase in white blood corpuscles in CSF is indicative of the patient suffering from GBS.

A Nerve Conduction Velocity test (NCV) determines the functionality of nerves. It is important to note that nerves with a damaged myelin sheath transmit signals slower than undamaged ones and nerves with destroyed axons cannot transmit signals at all.

An Electromyogram helps examine the muscle activity and indicate signs in slowing down or blocking of nerve signals. An Electromyogram is used to differentiate between muscle disorders and muscle weakness caused due to neurologic disorders.

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is used to record the electrical activity of the heart and also helps determine irregularities in the heart’s rhythmic beating.

A nerve biopsy helps examine signs of damage of nerve and or axon (7).

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com