Widenings of the myelin lamellae in a typical Guillain-Barré syndrome

Muscle Nerve. 1994 Apr;17(4):378-80. doi: 10.1002/mus.880170403.

Abstract

The so-called "widening of the myelin lamellae" are thought to be specific ultrastructural features of peripheral nerve myelin in patients with peripheral neuropathy associated with a monoclonal dysglobulinemia of IgM type and antiglycolipid activity. We report here a case of Guillain-Barré syndrome with no evidence of serum monoclonal dysglobulinemia, presenting the typical widenings of the myelin lamellae in small-diameter myelinated fibers from a sural nerve biopsy. In view of the positive reaction with anti-C3d complement on direct immunofluorescence, an immunological mechanism may be involved in the widenings of the myelin lamellae.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Axons / pathology
  • Axons / ultrastructure
  • Biopsy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Myelin Sheath / pathology
  • Myelin Sheath / ultrastructure*
  • Neural Conduction
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / pathology*
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy / physiopathology
  • Sural Nerve / pathology
  • Sural Nerve / ultrastructure*