Virginia Via Research Day Book 2026

Medical Student Research Case Reports

23 FROM CONDITIONING TO THE ICU: A CASE REPORT OF A RARE FORM OF GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME

Michael Stoneham, OMS-II; Kyle Hopkins, DO, PGY4; Jen Walker, MS, LAT, ATC; Anne Bryan, MS, LAT, ATC, CES; Mary Mitchell, DO, CAQSM; Matthew Chung, DO, CAQSM, R-MSK, FAOASM. Corresponding author: mstoneham@vt.vcom.edu

Virginia Tech Sports Medicine, Blacksburg, VA

double vision, bilateral facial numbness and difficulty swallowing. Following extubation and five days of IVIG, plasmapheresis was initiated because of lack of improvement in paresthesias. Treatment ultimately was reverted to IVIG as this was more beneficial. Ultimately she was hospitalized for 1.5 weeks followed by 2.5 weeks in inpatient rehab. Differential diagnoses during her work-up included Myasthenia Gravis, thyrotoxicosis, acute myelopathy, Guillain Barre Syndrome (specifically AMSAN subtype), with functional neurologic disorder as the leading diagnosis due to normal CSF and EMG after evaluation by neuromuscular specialist. Conclusion: FND is a real diagnosis with real neurologic limitations that patients cannot control rather than those that they can for factitious gain. Research is expanding but there are no specific guidelines for athletes specifically. However, there are links being drawn to post-concussive symptoms as well as sport concepts such as having the “yips” in gymnastics specifically. The importance of physical activity for all patients with FND is now increasingly recognized. A proposed return to sport framework includes focus on motor, sensory, kinesthetic relearning; behavioral, cognitive, and mindfulness therapies; TMS, cognitive re-appraisal of somatic symptoms, improved sense of

self-agency. This is similar to that which her care team employed. FND can have recovery in weeks to months with effective rehab and early diagnosis. 20-50% of patients experience complete symptom recovery while 40-50% have recurrent or persistent symptoms.

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2026 Research Recognition Day