Rehabilitation of a patient with critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) following acute respiratory failure: a case report and review of literature

Critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP), a neurologic complication that may occur secondary to cardio-respiratory distress, surgery, trauma and coma, is associated with sepsis or multiple organ failure. CIP is characterized by an axonal distal degeneration of sensory and motor fibres. The patients will often become neurologically conspicuous when weaning from mechanical ventilation is unexpectedly difficult. There are just a few cases reported with description of the functional outcome and rehabilitation issues of this condition. An additional CIP case of a 62-year old man complicated with anoxic brain damage during the respiratory distress is reported here. He was referred for rehabilitation, made a remarkable recovery (FIM gain 45!) and returned home after 79 days of treatment in the ward. A review of the pertinent literature is provided. Rehabilitation specialists and other professionals working within ICU's should be aware of this condition and be able to recognize and treat CIP at early possible stage.