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Neurology (Expert Forum)
critical illness polyneuropathy
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critical illness polyneuropathy
by glickson, Oct 11, 2004 12:00AM
My husbond have been in intensive care after an operation (diffuse peritonitis with perforation of the ileus) unfortunately he developed a serius illness with sepsis and multi organ failure, including resperatory distress, DIC syndrom,liver affection, ATIN and cardial insufferiency. He was in in the intensive care unit for 3˝ month. He has a very severe critical illness polyneuropathy with severe atrophy and severe paresis. He was at the department of neurology for 6 month . Right now he is at a rehabilitation center were he has been for 4 month now. Could you please give me some information on critical illness polyneuropathy,
What exactly is this, what treatment, and prognosis?
The neurolog tells me that there is no reasen making any test to see how much and how the nerves is affected. The treatment are the same. Do you think so too or should we ask fore some kind of test anyway? There have been some development, since my husbond was at the intensive care unit, where he could not move at all. My husbond is now able to stand, and to move his right arm but still need help fore everything.
Do you think he can still be better?
On top on all this he also got verbal apraxia, motorik dyspraxia, and is unable to speak. Can you give me some info on this, treatment and prognosis?
Thank you.
What exactly is this, what treatment, and prognosis?
The neurolog tells me that there is no reasen making any test to see how much and how the nerves is affected. The treatment are the same. Do you think so too or should we ask fore some kind of test anyway? There have been some development, since my husbond was at the intensive care unit, where he could not move at all. My husbond is now able to stand, and to move his right arm but still need help fore everything.
Do you think he can still be better?
On top on all this he also got verbal apraxia, motorik dyspraxia, and is unable to speak. Can you give me some info on this, treatment and prognosis?
Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Oct 14, 2004 12:00AM
Critical illness polyneuropathy is a condition which involves damage to the nerves in the arms and legs (occasionally the face) due to a severe illness in an intensive care unit. The exact cause of this condition is not known. There have been no clear treatments developed. However, most patients have a near complete recovery over time. Once the diagnosis is established, there is no need for follow-up nerve tests. This condition does need to be differentiated from critical illness myopathy though. This would have been done by a EMG (muscle/nerve test).
The verbal apraxia, dyspraxia, and speech difficulties would not be secondary to the polyneuropathy. These may represent a stroke. You should discuss this with your doctor.
Regarding treatment, rehabilitation and support are the most important things to improve recovery. Good luck.
The verbal apraxia, dyspraxia, and speech difficulties would not be secondary to the polyneuropathy. These may represent a stroke. You should discuss this with your doctor.
Regarding treatment, rehabilitation and support are the most important things to improve recovery. Good luck.