Garret Case Summary
PATIENT & FAMILY BACKGROUND The patient, Garret was an 18 year old male. Garrett was a fit wrestler with no known previous medical conditions or genetic disorders. PATIENT’S CHIEF COMPLAINT Garrett had been feeling more tired than usual for a month. He presented with a minor headache and cough. He had a tingling sensation in his hands, and both feet had been falling asleep. He was feeling weak, causing him to fall while walking. Upon admittance to the hospital, doctors discovered Garret’s arm did not have the strength of a normal 18 year old male, and that he was having trouble lifting his legs. Doctors realized that Garret had minimal response to reflex tests. After five days in the hospital, Garret’s strength rapidly declined, leaving
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To help with the diagnosis, doctors may perform a lumbar puncture to determine if the fluid proteins are elevated. Guillain-Barre Syndrome patients will often have higher levels of proteins than those that do not have this disorder. The Lumbar puncture will also evaluate if there are any bacteria or bleeding present in the spinal fluid. Doctors will also order an EMG, or electromyography. This test helps to determine how healthy the muscles and nerves are. The test is performed by inserting an electrode into the skin and muscle, and evaluating the response to the electrical stimulus given. In Guillain-Barre, the nerves will be damaged, and therefore will not respond accurately. Doctors will most likely also order a blood test to further eliminate any other causes of the symptoms.
TREATMENT OF THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS Garrett was placed on a ventilator to assist him with breathing, and was transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care unit. He was treated with cardiac medication to prevent a stroke or heart attack, and his vitals were constantly being monitored. When his body temperature elevated, he was cooled with a fan. He was given a plasma exchange, which resulted in a blood infection. He was then administered antibiotics to fight the infection. He also received an injection of immunoglobins. The plasma exchange and the immunoglobin injections were both performed
To help with the diagnosis, doctors may perform a lumbar puncture to determine if the fluid proteins are elevated. Guillain-Barre Syndrome patients will often have higher levels of proteins than those that do not have this disorder. The Lumbar puncture will also evaluate if there are any bacteria or bleeding present in the spinal fluid. Doctors will also order an EMG, or electromyography. This test helps to determine how healthy the muscles and nerves are. The test is performed by inserting an electrode into the skin and muscle, and evaluating the response to the electrical stimulus given. In Guillain-Barre, the nerves will be damaged, and therefore will not respond accurately. Doctors will most likely also order a blood test to further eliminate any other causes of the symptoms.
TREATMENT OF THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS Garrett was placed on a ventilator to assist him with breathing, and was transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care unit. He was treated with cardiac medication to prevent a stroke or heart attack, and his vitals were constantly being monitored. When his body temperature elevated, he was cooled with a fan. He was given a plasma exchange, which resulted in a blood infection. He was then administered antibiotics to fight the infection. He also received an injection of immunoglobins. The plasma exchange and the immunoglobin injections were both performed