Review Article

Differential Diagnosis of Acute Weakness

Authors: WILLIAM W. CAMPBELL JR. MD, THOMAS R. SWIFT MD

Abstract

Muscle weakness evolving rapidly over hours to days demands prompt diagnosis and proper treatment to prevent life-threatening respiratory insufficiency. Such weakness usually results from diseases affecting some portion of the motor unit, such as poliomyelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, botulism, and dyskalemic myopathy. The differential diagnosis of these processes is discussed.

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References