Acute Onset of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy: A Case Report

Abstract

Acute onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (A-CIDP) with facial weakness and mild respiratory muscle weakness in the three episodes is rarely reported. We describe a Chinese man with A-CIDP who experienced weakness in both upper limbs as well as facial muscles, and his condition deteriorated in three different consultations over the span of 14 weeks. Patients with A-CIDP were more likely to have prominent sensory signs rather than motor signs and were less likely to have autonomic dysfunction, facial weakness, or need for mechanical ventilation. Our patient had facial weakness in the first and second episodes, and mild respiratory muscle weakness in the first and third episodes; hence, our patient was most likely an A-CIDP case different from those cases in the literature. Early recognition of A-CIDP in patients with apparent GBS is important so that proper diagnostic and therapeutic management can be initiated promptly. J Med Cases. 2016;7(12):524-526 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc2550w