Concomitant Guillain–Barré Syndrome in a young Sri Lankan male with severe ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Abstract Background Guillain–Barré Syndrome is an immune mediated polyneuropathy. Ulcerative Colitis is an immune mediated chronic inflammatory condition mainly of the large intestine. Guillain–Barré Syndrome can present as a rare extraintestinal manifestation of Ulcerative Colitis when in remission or in a relapse. However, the concomitant presentation of Guillain–Barré Syndrome during a relapse of Ulcerative Colitis is very rare and only a few cases are reported to date. Case presentation A 24 year old young male diagnosed of Ulcerative Colitis presented with bloody diarrhea of frequency more than six times a day. He had been in clinical remission even after defaulting treatment for more than a year. He had also noted difficulty in walking prior to admission to the hospital. He was managed as for a severe relapse of Ulcerative Colitis and Guillain–Barré Syndrome. Appropriate management of both the illnesses helped him to recover. Conclusion Immune mediated diseases can have rare coexisting presentations. We report a case of Ulcerative Colitis with concomitant Guillain–Barré Syndrome. It is essential to be open minded and timely, appropriate treatment led to successful management of both the illnesses.