Guillain-Barre syndrome following facial bone fracture

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves and nerve roots characterised by lymphocytes and macrophage infiltration and myelin destruction. Two-thirds of cases of GBS emerge from viral or bacterial infection. GBS following facial bone fracture is rare. This article discusses a case of classical GBS following facial bone fracture and its correlative mechanism. The association of GBS with head injury per se is not well recognised. This case highlights the possibility of GBS following facial bone fracture and indicates that medical staff should be alerted to the association. (C) 2006 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.