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Case Report

Guillain–Barré Syndrome in a Young Male: Pharyngeal–Cervical–Brachial or Descending Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy

Kamal Preet Palta, Rishabh Bhattacharya, Bishash Roy

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Indian Journal of Emergency Medicine 12(2):p 84-88, April-June 2026. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.12226.4

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Rishabh Bhattacharya, Kamal Preet Palta, Bishash Roy. Guillain–Barré Syndrome in a Young Male: Pharyngeal–Cervical–Brachial or Descending Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy. Ind J Emerg Med. 2026; 12(2): 84-88.

Timeline

Received : December 13, 2025         Accepted : January 14, 2026          Published : June 30, 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS) comprises a heterogeneous group of acute immune-mediated polyradiculoneuropathies. While the classic ascending pattern is most common, rare variants, such as the pharyngeal–cervical–brachial (PCB) variant and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), can present diagnostic challenges, particularly when overlapping features are present. Case Report: We report the case of an 18-year-old previously healthy male who presented with rapidly progressive dysphagia, neck weakness, and bilateral upper limb weakness, followed by descending motor involvement without sensory deficits. Neurophysiological studies showed reduced compound muscle action potentials with preserved sensory nerve action potentials, consistent with an axonal motor neuropathy. Discussion: Nerve conduction studies showed AMAN, whereas bulbar and upper limb weakness suggested the PCB variant. The clinical picture, i.e. descending paralysis (hands to feet) indicated a possible descending AMAN or PCB-AMAN overlap. Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of recognizing overlapping GBS variants to facilitate early diagnosis and timely initiation of immunotherapy. Awareness of such presentations can help avoid misdiagnosis, especially when cranial and cervicobrachial weakness predominate.

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Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.

Ethics Declaration

This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.

Conflicts of Interest

No conflicts of interest in this work.

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Cite this article

Rishabh Bhattacharya, Kamal Preet Palta, Bishash Roy. Guillain–Barré Syndrome in a Young Male: Pharyngeal–Cervical–Brachial or Descending Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy. Ind J Emerg Med. 2026; 12(2): 84-88.

Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.

Received Accepted Published
December 13, 2025 January 14, 2026 June 30, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.12226.4

Keywords

Guillain–Barre SyndromePharyngeal–cervical–brachial variantAMAN axonal neuropathyDescending paralysisIVIG

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Timeline

Received December 13, 2025
Accepted January 14, 2026
Published June 30, 2026

licence

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


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