A girl with bilateral temporomandibular joint pain, generalized arthralgias, and inability to walk

Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2010 Apr;49(4):400-3. doi: 10.1177/0009922809337623. Epub 2009 Jun 1.

Abstract

The authors present the case of a 6.5-year-old girl with bilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, generalized arthralgias, inability to walk, and absence of deep tendon reflexes in the context of Guillain-Barrè syndrome. TMJ pain was the sole manifestation for 3 days, before other typical symptoms appeared, an issue that initially led to an improper diagnosis. A thorough clinical examination along with laboratory and radiographic evaluation excluded other possible causes of TMJ pain. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of Guillain-Barrè syndrome in the pediatric population initially presenting with bilateral TMJ pain. Guillain-Barrè syndrome may be quite atypical in its expression, especially in young children, with pain being a common presenting symptom, and pediatricians should be alert to avoid misdiagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arthralgia / etiology*
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gait Ataxia / etiology*
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / complications*
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / administration & dosage
  • Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / etiology*

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins