Recurrent Miller-Fisher syndrome overlapping Guillain-Barrè syndrome and Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis: A case report

Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS) together with Guillan-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis (BBE) are considered to form a continuous clinical spectrum of the same disease, possibly affecting the peripheral and/or central nervous systems, with monophasic symptoms. The frequency of overlapping clinical signs and the risk of recurrence are independent and very low, but no cases of GQ1b-seropositive recurrent MFS overlapping with GBS and BBE have been described so far. Here, we describe for the first time an atypical case of recurrent GQ1b-seropositive MFS overlapping GBS and BBE, 12 years after a previous GQ1b-seronegative typical MFS episode. Our case expands the clinical spectrum of recurrent MFS, and it should prompt clinicians to investigate the presence of anti-ganglioside antibodies in recurrent MFS even when these were negative in the previous episode, especially in those presenting with overlapping spectrum symptoms and a critically ill picture during the second episode. •Recurrent MFS and overlapping MFS/GBS/BBE are independent very rare conditions.•To date, no GQ1b+ recurrent MFS overlapping GBS and BBE have been described.•Anti-ganglioside antibodies should always be explored in recurrent MFS.•Recurrence MFS tends to take more severe clinical form than the initial episode.•Our case expands the clinical spectrum of recurrent MFS.