ACTH AND CORTISONE IN GUILLAIN-BARRÉ SYNDROME: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND REPORT OF A TREATED CASE FOLLOWING PRIMARY ATYPICAL PNEUMONIA

Abstract

Twenty-five cases reported in the literature were reviewed and the response to adrenal steroid therapy was evaluated. Of 16 patients treated during the progressive phase of their disease, 14 showed definite improvement after 48 hours. Two of six patients treated after the disease became stationary demonstrated similar rapid improvement. Three patients treated after neurological symptoms had begun to improve showed no definite response. ACTH and cortisone appear to be beneficial in patients with progressive neurological disease and worthy of a clinical trial in those patients in whom the disease is considered maximal and stationary. In the convalescent patient with residual secondary nerve degeneration, hormonal therapy seems to be of no value.