Elektrophysiologische Diagnostik der Critical Illness Polyneuropathie und Critical Illness Myopathie

Neurological complications of severe critical illness and sepsis are critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) and critical illness myopathy (CIM). Both present with an ICU acquired muscular weakness and combinations of both are frequent. Weaning problems often may be the first symptoms at the intensive care unit. Electrophysiological assessment plays a major role in early diagnosis as the critically ill patients often cannot be adequately neurologically examined. In this review these disease entities and current diagnostic possibilities of electroneurography, classical electromyography, and direct muscle stimulation are discussed. Early diagnosis is most important as it improves the therapeutic regime in the ICU setting. Moreover, the differentiation between CIM and CIP has prognostic implications as the prognosis of CIP in its longtime course is more harmful.