Abstract
Polyneuropathies frequently contribute to ventilator dependency and prolonged stay in the intensive care unit. As clinical examination is often limited in critically ill patients, electrophysiological studies are invaluable in establishing the diagnosis of neuropathy, determining its pathophysiology, severity and in following the patients' progression. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) developing before intensive care unit admission and critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) developing as a complication of sepsis and multiorgan failure are the commonest causes of neuropathy. Electrophysiological findings in CIP are that of an axonal neuropathy whereas the findings in GBS are usually consistent with a demyelinating neuropathy. Axonal GBS can be distinguished from CIP by the preceding illnesses, slow nerve conduction velocity in some cases, lack of spontaneous activity on the initial needle electromyographic study and cerebrospinal fluid findings.
References
Aug 20, 1992·The New England Journal of Medicine·V SegredoR D Miller
Sep 1, 1991·Critical Care Medicine·J L GoochT P Clemmer
Jan 1, 1991·Chest·N J WittW J Sibbald
May 1, 1986·Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry·C F BoltonW J Sibbald
Apr 1, 1988·Annals of Neurology·D R CornblathS A Quaskey
Aug 1, 1987·Brain : a Journal of Neurology·D W ZochodneW A Sibbald
Dec 1, 1986·Brain : a Journal of Neurology·T E FeasbyD W Zochodne
Nov 23, 1995·The New England Journal of Medicine·J H ReesR A Hughes
Jun 1, 1995·Brain : a Journal of Neurology·J W GriffinD R Cornblath
Jun 1, 1993·Journal of the Neurological Sciences·T E FeasbyW J Koopman
Feb 1, 1993·Muscle & Nerve·W F BrownA F Hahn
Apr 1, 1993·Annals of Neurology·G M McKhannL P Jou
Jan 1, 1996·Annals of Neurology·J W GriffinA K Asbury
Apr 1, 1996·Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry·R ChenC F Bolton
Oct 1, 1996·Muscle & Nerve·M W NicolleC F Bolton
Citations
Feb 6, 2010·Critical Care Medicine·Robert D StevensTarek Sharshar
Nov 28, 2009·European Journal of Pain : EJP·Richard HulseLucy F Donaldson
Feb 27, 2007·Molecular Pain·Xiaojie Chen, Jon D Levine
Nov 28, 2017·Muscle & Nerve
Nov 21, 2002·Critical Care Medicine·Craig Morris, J T Trinder