Recovery After Critical Illness Polyneuropathy in a Patient With Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: A Case Report

After liver transplantation, some patients show neuromuscular abnormalities. A 43-year-old man with liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus underwent living-donor liver transplantation. He developed severe neuromuscular dysfunction after sepsis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. After the inflammatory reaction gradually improved, we observed bilateral weakness of the extremities and foot drop. Electrophysiological studies indicated primary axonal degeneration of peripheral motor and sensory fibers without inflammation. Critical illness polyneuropathy was diagnosed. During follow-up, complaints gradually recovered with rehabilitation by approximately 1 year later. Based on this case, we suggest that paralysis should be evaluated for critical illness polyneuropathy in patients with unexplained muscle weakness.