Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41717332›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in toxicology2026

A case report of arsenic-induced peripheral neuropathy misdiagnosed as Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Shanshan Fu, Guanao Wu, Yibo Zhan, Hui Xia, Chang Zhou, Jingjing Zeng, Ye Tang, Boyan Pan, Zequan Zheng, Min Zhao and 2 more

Abstract read
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Article in Frontiers in toxicology, 2026. 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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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Shanshan FuThe Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Guanao WuThe Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Yibo ZhanThe Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Hui XiaThe Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Chang ZhouThe Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Jingjing ZengThe Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Ye TangThe Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Boyan PanThe Second Clinical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Zequan ZhengDepartment of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Min ZhaoDepartment of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Yuanqi ZhaoDepartment of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Haoyou XuDepartment of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and misdiagnosis causes of arsenic-induced peripheral neuropathy. Methods: We report a case of arsenic-induced peripheral neuropathy initially misdiagnosed as Guillain-Barré syndrome, with analysis of clinical characteristics, diagnostic workup and therapeutic management, supplemented by literature review. Results: A 58-year-old male presented with progressive peripheral neuropathy, initially diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome but later suspected as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. However, his symptoms progressed despite standard immunotherapy, developing generalized motor deficits, myokymia, ascending sensory loss, and facial palsy. Careful reevaluation revealed critical diagnostic clues: a history of intermittent topical application of an unidentified herbal medicine preceding symptom onset, accompanying gastrointestinal prodromal symptoms, and characteristic physical findings including Mee's lines, lower limb hyperpigmentation, and foot hyperkeratosis. Subsequent laboratory testing confirmed markedly elevated arsenic levels in nail and hair samples, ultimately establishing the diagnosis of arsenic-induced peripheral neuropathy. Conclusion: Arsenic-induced peripheral neuropathy can clinically mimic Guillain-Barré syndrome. For immunotherapy-refractory cases, clinicians should maintain high suspicion for potential heavy metal poisoning. Careful elicitation of toxic exposure history and recognition of characteristic dermatologic findings are critical for definitive diagnosis, as early recognition significantly improves prognosis.

Indexed as

arsenic poisoningGuillain-Barré syndromeMee’s linesperipheral neuropathytraditional medicine and alternative medicine

Identifiers

PMID41717332
PMCPMC12916063

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