Miller–Fisher syndrome mimicking intracranial hypertension following head trauma

Introduction Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a polyneuropathy with benign outcome characterized by ophthalmoplegia, limb ataxia and tendon areflexia. Impaired consciousness level and intracranial hypertension are very rare symptoms in MFS.Case report We describe the case of a 5-year-old girl who showed intracranial hypertension, transient coma and respiratory failure after mild head injury; moreover the patient showed mild ataxia, areflexia, ophthalmoplegia and autonomic disturbancies. These symptoms were suggestive of MFS. Electrophysiologic studies and laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis and immunoglobulins and steroids were given. The child showed a progressive clinical improvement and the final outcome was good.Conclusion This case, initially managed as trauma injury due to the presence of suggestive signs and clinical history, maskered an atypical presentation of Miller-Fisher syndrome, a rare disorder of central nervous system.     

The nosological position of the ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and areflexia syndrome: "The spectrum hypothesis"

Two cases of ophthalmoplegia ataxia and areflexia are described, each with undoubted central and peripheral neural affection. It is concluded that the cardinal features are due to brainstem pathology, and support the hypothesis that this syndrome and the post-infectious polyradiculoneuritides represent differing ends of a spectrum which reflects two modes of nervous system reaction to a presumed infective challenge.     

Demyelinating optic neuropathy with Miller-Fisher syndrome

Summary The syndrome of ataxia, areflexia and ophthalmoplegia, or Miller-Fisher syndrome, has been considered to be a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome with pathology restricted to the peripheral nervous system. A patient with Miller-Fisher syndrome and bilateral demyelinating optic neuropathy suggesting associated central nervous system pathology is presented. Clinical and experimental evidence regarding the association of central and peripheral nervous system demyelination is reviewed.     

Recurrent Miller fisher syndrome: a case report

Miller fisher syndrome (MFS) is a variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome characterized by the triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and areflexia. Recurrences are exceptional with MFS. A case with two episodes of MFS within four years is reported. He presented with findings of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, areflexia, and oropharyngeal weakness and mild distal sensory impairment during both episodes. Electrophysiological findings showed reduced compound muscle action potentials and sensory nerve action potentials with no evidence of conduction blocks. Nerve biopsy showed segmental demyelination. MRI of brain was normal. He responded well to immunoglobulins during both episodes suggesting that immunomodulating drugs have a role in the treatment of MFS.     

Clinical features and prognosis of Miller Fisher syndrome

The authors reviewed the clinical features and outcome of Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) for 50 consecutive patients with MFS including 28 patients who received no immunotherapy. Besides the characteristic clinical triad (ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia), pupillary abnormalities, blepharoptosis, and facial palsy are frequent in MFS, whereas sensory loss is unusual despite the presence of profound ataxia. Patients with MFS usually had good recovery and no residual deficits.     

Miller Fisher syndrome: brief overview and update with a focus on electrophysiological findings

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), a variant of the Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), is characterized by ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia. The annual incidence is around one patient per one million population. The antiganglioside anti‐GQ1b IgG antibody has a role in the pathogenesis of the syndrome, especially of ophthalmoplegia. The presence of this antibody in the serum can be identified in over 80% of the patients, peaking in the first week, whereas albuminocytological dissociation in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) appears later. The most consistent electrophysiological findings in MFS are reduced sensory nerve action potentials and absent H reflexes. More variability is seen with F waves and various investigations involving cranial structures. Although there are usually no abnormalities in MFS by routine neuroimaging, in a few cases, contrast enhancement of nerve roots and signs of central nervous system involvement were described supporting the hypothesis of an anti‐GQ1b‐syndrome, a continuum involving GBS, MFS, and Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis. Owing to the lack of randomized trials, treatments used for GBS (intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapheresis) are usually applied, although from retrospective analyses, the outcome was similar between treated and untreated subjects. The outcome of MFS is usually good with case fatality of < 5%. In the few autopsy cases, macroscopic abnormalities were generally not seen in the nervous system. Microscopic examination of the peripheral nervous system (including cranial nerves) showed segmental demyelination with minimal perivascular infiltration with normal spinal cord and brain stem.     

Electrophysiology in Fisher syndrome

Fisher syndrome (FS), a variant of Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), is characterized by the clinical triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia. The lesion sites for these unique clinical features include the oculomotor nerves and group 1a neurons in the dorsal root ganglion, and the presence of FS is determined by the expression of ganglioside GQ1b in the human nervous system. Neurophysiological findings suggest that ataxia and areflexia are due to an impaired proprioceptive afferent system. Typically, the soleus H-reflex is absent and a body-sway analysis using posturography shows a 1-Hz peak, which indicates proprioception dysfunction. Sensory nerve action potentials and somatosensory-evoked potentials are abnormal in approximately 30% of FS patients, indicating the occasional involvement of cutaneous (group 2) afferents. During the disease course, approximately 15% of FS patients suffer an overlap of axonal GBS with nerve conduction abnormalities that reflect axonal dysfunction. This review summarizes electrophysiological abnormalities and their clinical significance in FS.     

Miller-Fisher综合征临床特点分析

目的 分析6例Miller-Fisher综合征的临床特点及预后.提高对Miller-Fisher综合征的认识.方法 对6例临床诊断为Miller-Fisher综合征患者的临床表现、脑脊液检查、肌电图和影像学的资料进行全面分析,并综合文献,阐述该病的临床特点、病因和发病机制.结果 临床分析发现6例Miller-Fisher综合征患者均具有眼外肌麻痹、共济失调、腱反射减弱或消失三联征,脑脊液蛋白细胞分离是该病的特征性表现,部分病人还合并延髓性麻痹、轻微肌无力,感觉异常及植物神经功能紊乱等.结论 根据临床特点、结合脑脊液检查及肌电图检测,Miller-Fisher综合征能确诊,头颅CT或MRI有助鉴别诊断,病人预后良好.     

Miller Fisher syndrome: a report of 4 cases and review of the nosologic position

Four typical cases of the Miller Fisher syndrome with external ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and generalized areflexia but no muscular weakness or sensory impairment of the limbs are reported. The nosological position of this disorder is reviewed.     

Acute ophthalmoplegia with pupillary areflexia associated with anti-GQ1b antibody.

Raised anti-GQ1b antibody is associated with Miller Fisher syndrome, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) with ophthalmoplegia, Bickerstaff's brain stem encephalitis, acute ophthalmoparesis without ataxia and ataxic GBS without opthalmoplegia. We report a rare case of acute ophthalmoplegia associated with anti-GQ1b antibody that also had pupillary areflexia. A 35-year-old Chinese lady presented with external ophthalmoplegia, pupillary areflexia and no other abnormalities of cranial nerves, muscle tone, deep tendon reflexes, limb power or cerebellar dysfunction. Anti-GQ1b IgG antibody titre was significantly elevated, while neuroimaging of brain and orbital structures, nerve conduction study and cerebral spinal fluid examination were normal. Pupillary areflexia should be recognized as another feature that may be present in conditions associated with raised anti-GQ1b antibody.     

Clinical, electrophysiological, and serological overlap between Miller Fisher syndrome and acute sensory ataxic neuropathy

We report a patient with severe sensory ataxia, areflexia, and ophthalmoplegia with preservation of limb muscle strength. Electrophysiological examinations revealed peripheral sensory nerve involvement. A serological examination showed the elevation of IgG antibodies to various b-series gangliosides as well as GT1a. These indicated that this case is an overlap between acute sensory ataxic neuropathy and Miller Fisher syndrome. Autoantibody is implicated as potential pathogenic agents in some cases of acute sensory ataxic neuropathy.     

Involvement of the central nervous system in Miller Fisher syndrome: a case report

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is characterised by ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and areflexia. Reports on cerebellar ataxia and supranuclear oculomotor derangement in MFS suggested an additional involvement of the central nervous system (CNS), resembling Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis (BBE). In the present report, a patient with a monophasic acute illness, early recovery and specific clinical-laboratory findings suggested both intrinsic brainstem and peripheral nerve disease (MFS and BBE). In pons and medulla oblangata, blurred to discrete T2-lesions were revealed by cranial MRI, while involvement of peripheral nerves was detected with EMG. The CSF showed no increase in protein or cell content, such as occurs in brainstem encephalitis.     

Miller Fisher综合征14例报道

目的:分析14例Miller Fisher综合征的临床特点和预后。方法:回顾性分析1998年1月至2007年3月我院收治的14例Miller Fisher综合征患者,应用Microsoft Access 2003建立数据库,分析患者的各种症状、体征和各项检查和预后。结果:病前感染者11例,其中肠道感染8例,双侧动眼神经损害14例,眼内肌的损害7例,对光反射消失5例,共济失调9例,头晕7例,腱反射减低12例,肌力减退7例,周围神经损害5例,病理征3例,蛋白-细胞分离12例,影像学异常2例,肌电图改变7例。结论:Miller Fisher综合征临床症状复杂,可在经典的三联征基础上伴有其他体征,也可仅有其中的两联征,预后较好。     

Fisher综合征

目的 探讨Fisher综合征的临床特点,加深对本病的认识。方法 对8例Fisher综合征临床资料进行分析,并综合文献,阐述该病的临床特点及发病机制、治疗方法。结果 Fisher综合征好发于青壮年,急性起病,以眼外肌麻痹、共济失调、腱反射减弱或消失为主要表现,是吉兰－巴雷综合征（GBS）的特殊类型,不仅有周围神经的损害,可能还有脑干和小脑的病损,诊治不及时可转化为全身型GBS,早期激素治疗有效。结论 根据临床特点,结合脑脊液常规、免疫学检查及肌电图、神经活检能早期确诊,头颅MRI有助诊断。     

Miller Fisher syndrome following Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Neurological Sciences - Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a rare variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome characterized by ataxia, areflexia, and ophthalmoplegia. We present a case of MFS following Pfizer...     

Correlation of 1a afferent conduction with the ataxia of Fisher syndrome

The pathophysiology of the ataxia in Fisher syndrome (the syndrome of acute ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia) has been attributed to both peripheral nervous system pathology and cerebellar system dysfunction. Pathologic studies have demonstrated no consistent central nervous system abnormalities. We present a case in which abnormalities of 1a sensory conduction were found to correlate directly with the degree of ataxia, without impairment of motor or cutaneous sensory conduction. We propose that the ataxia seen in typical Fisher syndrome may be due to demyelination of 1a afferent fibers.     

Fisher syndrome. An infantile case

A case of acute onset of partial ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and areflexia in a child is described. This case closely resembles those described by Fisher (Fisher syndrome). Clinical data, also in relation to the few cases previously reported, are discussed.     

The Miller-Fisher syndrome during ECHO-7 neuro-infection. A case history

The authors describe a case of a 36-year old male patient with the Miller Fisher syndrome of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and areflexia. An apparent etiopathogenetic factor in this case appears to be ECHO 7 virus. The pathological process was localized in the brainstem.     

IgG anti-GQ1b positive acute ataxia without ophthalmoplegia

IgG anti-GQ1b antibody was present in a patient with acute ataxia and areflexia without ophthalmoplegia or elementary sensory loss. Sensory nerve conduction studies and somatosensory evoked potentials were normal, but postural body sway analysis showed dysfunction of the proprioceptive afferent system. The clinical presentation and laboratory results for this patient resemble those of Miller Fisher syndrome, except for the lack of ophthalmoplegia. This case may represent part of an IgG anti-GQ1b syndrome.