Celiac Disease Presenting with Motor Weakness

Abstract

Many systemic diseases may present with neurological signs and symptoms. In this case report, it is aimed to emphasize some takehome lessons in regard with disease that may masquerade Guillain-Barre syndrome. A 23 years-old woman presented with acute ascending motor weakness and areflexia for which she was presumed to have a Guillain-Barre syndrome. On neurological examination she had a muscle power of 2/5 according to MRC with areflexia. She had severe hypokalemia which is thought to result from the diarrhea she had. With potassium replacement her motor power resolved to normal. Detailed differential work-up led to a diagnosis of celiac disease with positive anti-gliadin antibodies serology and duodenal biopsy. Differential of acute, bilateral muscle weakness requires consideration of a few neurological conditions. However, the physicians should be aware of that many other systemic diseases may also manifest with signs and symptoms mimicking these neurological conditions.