Abstract.
Background. The article discusses a clinical case of acute polyneuropathy in a young child who initially presented with facial neuropathy. The range of differential diagnoses for peripheral nerve lesions depends on a detailed history collection, an in-depth analysis of the clinical manifestations, and a dynamic evaluation of the patient.
Clinical Case Description. In this clinical case, the presence of unilateral facial palsy on one side of the face in a child, along with gastrointestinal symptoms and pain, led to an expanded follow-up protocol. This included nerve conduction studies (NCS), which examined the electrical activity of the facial and peripheral nerves in the upper and lower limbs. The detection of electroneurophysiological changes of a polyneuropathy provided justification for spinal puncture, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, brachial, and lumbosacral plexuses, with intravenous contrast. These investigations, in turn, contributed to the confirmation of the main diagnosis of "Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy" and accordingly the selection of optimal management strategies and pathogenetic treatment with the administration of intravenous immunoglobulins.
Conclusion. Therefore, the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms and undifferentiated pain can be a sign of various conditions, including infections. It should alert clinicians to the need for an expanded range of follow-up examinations.
Key words: facial palsy, children, polyneuropathy, nerve conduction studies, MRI