[Critically ill polyneuropathy]

"Critically ill" polyneuropathy occurs in patients with artificial respiration. It is more frequent in men than in women. The most frequent underlying diseases, in the course of which CIP was found, were pneumonias, traumas and major surgery. In most cases sepsis and/or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome can be observed. Symmetrical motor polyneuropathy is the typical clinical pattern. In many cases the thoracic muscles are also involved. In some cases facial pareses and ophthalmoplegia may occur. Sensory disturbances are rather rare. The EMG often shows a myopathic pattern in addition to the neuropathic pattern. Morphologically, CIP is an axonal degeneration. The rate of lethality is high. In surviving patients there is a 50% chance of full remission.