Guillain-Barré syndrome in patients with multiple myeloma: three cases report and literature review

Abstract Background Multiple myeloma (MM) with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is relatively rare, and the specific mechanism is still unclear. The previous infection, surgery, and medication use may have contributed to the occurrence of GBS. The use of bortezomib in patients with MM can easily lead t...

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Main Authors: Zhichao Li, Fang Huang, Siguo Hao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Neurology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-025-04045-3
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author Zhichao Li
Fang Huang
Siguo Hao
author_facet Zhichao Li
Fang Huang
Siguo Hao
author_sort Zhichao Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Multiple myeloma (MM) with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is relatively rare, and the specific mechanism is still unclear. The previous infection, surgery, and medication use may have contributed to the occurrence of GBS. The use of bortezomib in patients with MM can easily lead to peripheral neuropathy, which is similar to the symptoms of GBS, making it challenging to diagnose GBS. Cases presentation Three patients with IgA type MM experienced lower limb weakness during treatment. Combined with lumbar puncture, nerve conduction studies, and other tests, the diagnosis was confirmed as GBS. All three patients had a history of spinal surgery before the onset of GBS, and had been treated with bortezomib which induced peripheral neuropathy. Two of the three patients had a clear history of upper respiratory tract infection before the onset of GBS. After treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, one patient died and two patients showed improvement in GBS symptoms. Conclusion Patients with MM often have concurrent infections and spinal surgery, which may contribute to the occurrence of GBS. The symptoms of bortezomib-induce peripheral neuropathy overlap with those of GBS, which can easily lead to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis of GBS. Timely lumbar puncture and nerve conduction studies may help to diagnose GBS and improve the prognosis.
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spelling doaj-art-95d40e1f4f7c4b2ea1a524dc715789c12025-01-26T12:39:27ZengBMCBMC Neurology1471-23772025-01-012511810.1186/s12883-025-04045-3Guillain-Barré syndrome in patients with multiple myeloma: three cases report and literature reviewZhichao Li0Fang Huang1Siguo Hao2Department of Hematology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Hematology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineDepartment of Hematology, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineAbstract Background Multiple myeloma (MM) with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is relatively rare, and the specific mechanism is still unclear. The previous infection, surgery, and medication use may have contributed to the occurrence of GBS. The use of bortezomib in patients with MM can easily lead to peripheral neuropathy, which is similar to the symptoms of GBS, making it challenging to diagnose GBS. Cases presentation Three patients with IgA type MM experienced lower limb weakness during treatment. Combined with lumbar puncture, nerve conduction studies, and other tests, the diagnosis was confirmed as GBS. All three patients had a history of spinal surgery before the onset of GBS, and had been treated with bortezomib which induced peripheral neuropathy. Two of the three patients had a clear history of upper respiratory tract infection before the onset of GBS. After treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, one patient died and two patients showed improvement in GBS symptoms. Conclusion Patients with MM often have concurrent infections and spinal surgery, which may contribute to the occurrence of GBS. The symptoms of bortezomib-induce peripheral neuropathy overlap with those of GBS, which can easily lead to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis of GBS. Timely lumbar puncture and nerve conduction studies may help to diagnose GBS and improve the prognosis.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-025-04045-3Multiple myelomaGuillain-Barré syndromeBortezomibCase reportNeuropathy
spellingShingle Zhichao Li
Fang Huang
Siguo Hao
Guillain-Barré syndrome in patients with multiple myeloma: three cases report and literature review
BMC Neurology
Multiple myeloma
Guillain-Barré syndrome
Bortezomib
Case report
Neuropathy
title Guillain-Barré syndrome in patients with multiple myeloma: three cases report and literature review
title_full Guillain-Barré syndrome in patients with multiple myeloma: three cases report and literature review
title_fullStr Guillain-Barré syndrome in patients with multiple myeloma: three cases report and literature review
title_full_unstemmed Guillain-Barré syndrome in patients with multiple myeloma: three cases report and literature review
title_short Guillain-Barré syndrome in patients with multiple myeloma: three cases report and literature review
title_sort guillain barre syndrome in patients with multiple myeloma three cases report and literature review
topic Multiple myeloma
Guillain-Barré syndrome
Bortezomib
Case report
Neuropathy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-025-04045-3
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AT siguohao guillainbarresyndromeinpatientswithmultiplemyelomathreecasesreportandliteraturereview