[Acute polyradiculitis--from prickling to intensive care].

Characteristic symptoms of acute polyradiculitis are parestesia beginning from the feet and a symmetrically ascending myasthenia. The symptomatology, which may vary from mild asthenia to complete tetraplegia, may be accompanied by asphyxia and symptoms of the autonomic nervous system and cranial nerves. Polyradiculitis is often preceded by an infection. An elevated protein level of the cerebrospinal fluid without cellular reaction is the typical finding, but a specific laboratory test is not available. The clinical course is monophasic and relapses are uncommon. The natural prognosis for recovery is fairly good, but one fifth are left with functional impairment and the disease may even be fatal.