| Condition |
Distinguishing features |
|
| Guillain-Barré syndrome |
History of infection; paresthesias; ascending paralysis; areflexia; high CSF protein; EMG |
| Myasthenia gravis |
Recurrent paralysis; + edrophonium test; EMG |
| Stroke |
Asymmetric paralysis; imaging; risk factor |
| Lambert-Eaton myasthenia syndrome |
History of lung cancer; increased strength with activity; EMG |
| Tick paralysis |
Paresthesias; ascending paralysis; exposure |
| Sepsis/meningitis |
History and physical; CSF |
| Poliomyelitis |
Febrile; asymmetric paralysis; CSF |
|
|
| CSF = cerebral spinal fluid; EMG = electromyography. |
| *Adapted from Arnon et al.4 |