[Atypical Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with ophthalmoplegia and visual impairment following herpes simplex virus type 1 infection].

Two weeks after a flu-like illness, a 59-year-old woman developed double vision, muscle weakness and sensory discomfort in the proximal portions of her limbs. On admission, there was complete external ophthalmoplegia with bilateral ptosis. The pupils were dilated and did not react to light. Swallowing and elevation of the soft palate were also limited. There was severe muscle weakness in all limbs. Deep tendon reflexes were absent. Superficial and deep sensations were impaired in the proximal portions of the extremities. Neuro-ophthalmological examinations revealed an acquired color disorder with no scotoma and normal discs. P100 latencies of flashed visual evoked potentials were prolonged on day 41, and returned to normal on day 87. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection was confirmed by isolation of the virus from her sputum and the detection of anti-HSV-1 antibody in the acute phase serum.