Pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant is an axonal form of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) that may result from a flu or tetanus vaccination. Individuals diagnosed with pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant following a vaccination may be able to secure compensation for their medical bills and other losses through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).
While pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant is generally considered to be among the less-severe axonal variants of GBS, individuals diagnosed with this autoimmune disorder will still often face an uphill road to recovery. In addition to the condition’s physically limiting symptoms, this is due in large part to the fact that pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant is commonly misdiagnosed by neurologists who are unfamiliar with the condition and with vaccine-related illnesses in general.
As a result, anyone experiencing symptoms of pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant following a tetanus or flu vaccination should seek prompt medical attention, and should notify his or her physician of the recent vaccination. Recovery from pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant is possible, and obtaining an accurate diagnosis is the first step on the road to recovery.
Symptoms of Pharyngeal-Cervical-Brachial Variant
Studies have shown that pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant is a localized form of GBS. As a result, unlike the more severe axonal variant of acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN), pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant typically only affects the upper body. Symptoms of pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant include:
- Areflexia (loss of reflexes in the arms and shoulders)
- Ataxia (loss of muscle control in the arms and shoulders)
- Ophthalmoplegia (paralysis of the eye muscles)
- Oropharyngeal and cervicobrachial weakness (weakness in the neck and shoulder regions)
Unlike AMSAN and its less-severe form, acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), sensory loss is not generally considered a symptom of pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant.
Common Misdiagnoses among Patients with Pharyngeal-Cervical-Brachial Variant
Misdiagnosis of pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant is common. While individuals diagnosed with pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant can typically recover, delayed treatment due to misdiagnosis may limit or prolong a patient’s recovery. Individuals who experience the symptoms listed above following a flu or tetanus vaccination should consider seeking a second opinion if they have been diagnosed with any of the following common misdiagnoses among patients with vaccine-related pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant:
- Brainstem stroke
- Myasthenia gravis
- Botulism
Pharyngeal-Cervical-Brachial Variant and Miller Fisher Syndrome
Pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant is also closely associated with another GBS variant, Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS). Ataxia and ophthalmoplegia are common symptoms among these two forms of vaccine-related GBS, and research has indicated that these two disorders fall along a spectrum of autoimmune disorders with similar origins and effects. While the precise cause of these and all other forms of GBS remains unknown, scientists have uncovered enough evidence to identify a spectral relationship, and the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) makes compensation available to individuals who are diagnosed with pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant, MFS and other forms of GBS following flu and tetanus vaccinations.
Help for Individuals Diagnosed with Pharyngeal-Cervical-Brachial Variant Following a Vaccination
At GBS Vaccine Lawyer, we provide assistance to individuals diagnosed with vaccine-related pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant nationwide. To speak with our vaccine attorney and on-staff medical doctor, and to learn more about how we can help you seek compensation under the VICP at little or no cost to you, request a free consultation online or call (202) 775-9200 today.