A rare mimic of acute stroke: rapidly progressing Miller-Fisher Syndrome to acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy variant of Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Abstract

Ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and areflexia characterise the clinical triad of Miller-Fisher Syndrome (MFS). When the disease presents acutely, it can mimic posterior circulation stroke. We describe a case of an adult patient presenting with sudden dizziness, diplopia, vomiting, and loss of balance. She was initially managed as a case of a brainstem stroke, but the progression of craniopathies without deterioration in sensorium coupled with areflexia clinched the diagnosis of MFS two days into her admission. On the third day, her MFS progressed rapidly to acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) variant of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare occurrence in patients with MFS, with only four reported cases including our own. Among the four cases, ours is the only one still non-ambulatory eight months after the initial onset of symptoms. The case highlights the importance of early recognition of MFS in patients with ophthalmoplegia and ataxia despite initially normal reflexes.