Diagnostic Tests for Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Diagnostic Test list for Guillain-Barre Syndrome: The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome includes:

• Physical exam
• Reflex tests
• Lumbar puncture
• Protein CSF test - via a spinal tap
• Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test
• Antibody blood tests
• Nerve function tests

Tests and diagnosis discussion for Guillain-Barre Syndrome: Guillain-Barré is called a syndrome rather than a disease because it is not clear that a specific disease-causing agent is involved. Reflexes such as knee jerks are usually lost. Because the signals traveling along the nerve are slower, a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test can give a doctor clues to aid the diagnosis. The cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the spinal cord and brain contains more protein than usual, so a physician may decide to perform a spinal tap. ¹

Guillain-Barre is called a syndrome rather than a disease because it is not clear that a specific disease-causing agent is involved. Reflexes such as knee jerks are usually lost. Because the signals traveling along the nerve are slower, a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test can give a doctor clues to aid the diagnosis. The cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the spinal cord and brain contains more protein than usual, so a physician may decide to perform a spinal tap.²

Footnotes:
1. excerpt from NINDS Guillain-Barre Syndrome Information Page: NINDS
2. excerpt from Guillain-Barre Syndrome: NWHIC

Last revision: May 28, 2003

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