Diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome

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Guillain-Barre syndrome can be quite difficult to diagnose because symptoms will vary from person to person and can be very similar to that of other brain and nervous system disorders.

Doctors generally use the following two tests:

Electromyography (EMG). This test measures the health of the muscles and the nerves that control them. A needle electrode is inserted through the skin into the muscle to give an electrical recording of muscle activity â€“ doctors will be able to see if the muscles respond when certain nerves are stimulated
Spinal tap (lumbar puncture). A needle is inserted in the spinal canal (usually in the lower back) to determine the pressure of the spinal fluid. Also, a sample of fluid can be taken and tested for evidence of bleeding in the brain and spinal chord. Doctors will also check your protein levels (which are often raised in this condition), and look for any bacteria or fungi.

Your doctor may also want to discuss your medical history and give you a blood test to rule out any other possible causes.