Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40419896›Full record

ArticleMedicine2025

Where did the attack come from? The mysterious case of paralysis mimicking Guillain-Barré syndrome: Case report.

Wiktor Wagner, Michał Krawiec, Adam Iwanicki, Paweł Krupa, Barbara Gębka-Kępińska, Mateusz Lubiński, Szymon Białka

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Wiktor WagnerStudent Scientific Society at the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.ORCID 0009-0000-6909-7523
Michał KrawiecStudent Scientific Society at the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.ORCID 0000-0003-0450-6167
Adam IwanickiStudent Scientific Society at the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.ORCID 0009-0009-1345-3416
Paweł KrupaStudent Scientific Society at the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.
Barbara Gębka-KępińskaDepartment and Clinic of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.
Mateusz LubińskiDepartment of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.
Szymon BiałkaDepartment of Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.ORCID 0000-0002-5923-2469

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

rationaleTick-borne encephalitis (TBE) can present with neurological symptoms mimicking Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), posing a significant diagnostic challenge. Misidentification may lead to delayed or inappropriate treatment, increasing the risk of complications. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 49-year-old man presented with flu-like symptoms and progressive paralysis of the left upper limb following a tick bite. His condition rapidly deteriorated despite initial therapy, including facial nerve palsy, further paralysis of the left upper limb, and swallowing difficulties. DIAGNOSES: The initial clinical picture, cerebrospinal fluid analysis showing elevated protein, and electromyography suggested GBS.

interventionsThe patient underwent 6 plasmapheresis sessions for suspected GBS, with no neurological improvement. OUTCOMES: Due to a lack of improvement and further magnetic resonance imaging findings, a repeated lumbar puncture and serological testing revealed the correct diagnosis of TBE, confirmed by the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies against the TBE virus. After stabilization and intensive care unit discharge, the patient was transferred to a neurology ward and later to a rehabilitation unit. Significant neurological improvement was observed, although partial left upper limb paresis and facial nerve palsy persisted. He was eventually discharged with continued outpatient neurology and cardiology follow-up. LESSONS: This case highlights the importance of detailed medical history, including tick exposure, and maintaining a broad differential diagnosis in acute flaccid paralysis. Early consideration of infectious etiologies, particularly in endemic regions, is essential to prevent unnecessary interventions and improve patient outcomes.

Indexed as

Encephalitis, Tick-BorneGuillain-Barre SyndromeParalysisTick BitesDiagnosis, DifferentialFacial ParalysisHumansMaleMiddle Agedcase reportGuillain-Barré syndromeparalysisplasmapheresistick-borne Encephalitis

Identifiers

PMID40419896
PMCPMC12114061

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.