[Critical illness polyneuropathy: clinical aspects and long-term outcome]

Patients treated in intensive care units may develop a primary axonal form of polyneuropathy complicating sepsis and multiple organ failure more frequently than previously assumed. This critical illness polyneuropathy causes difficulty in weaning patients from the ventilator and delays further recovery and mobilisation. Over a period of two years we have treated five patients with flaccid tetra- or paraparesis. Recovery of motor function was largely satisfactory, but a long rehabilitation process was necessary. If attention were paid to detecting this disease in the early stages of intensive care neurorehabilitation might be facilitated. Hence, electrophysiological tests should be performed as soon as possible. The clinical outcome was markedly influenced by long-lasting neuropsychological disturbances in three of the five patients as well as by other complications such as joint contractures.