Clinical Scorecard: A Retrospective Analysis of Symptomatology and Clinical Findings in Neuroborreliosis Among Adults Versus Children

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• LNB affects 3-12% of Lyme borreliosis patients, with common symptoms including radiculoneuritis and facial palsy, with 40% experiencing facial palsy and 57-86% achieving resolution.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Definite LNB requires neurological symptoms, CSF pleocytosis, and intrathecal Borrelia antibody production.
• Possible LNB if only two of the criteria are met.

Management

• Initiate antibiotic treatment promptly to reduce risk of residual symptoms.
• Avoid glucocorticoid therapy for facial palsy associated with LNB.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Monitor for resolution of symptoms, particularly facial palsy.
• Evaluate CSF for pleocytosis and antibody production.
• Consider long-term follow-up for persistent symptoms.

Risks

Patient & Prescribing Data

Patients treated for LNB at Turku University Hospital from 2011 to 2018, including adults (18+) and children (0-17).

Clinical Best Practices

• Conduct thorough neurological assessments for LNB symptoms.
• Utilize both serum and CSF testing for accurate diagnosis.
• Educate patients on the importance of early treatment to improve outcomes.
• Implement follow-up care to monitor for any long-term effects.

References

• EFNS Guidelines on LNB Diagnosis
• Lyme Borreliosis Epidemiology