Sciatic neuropathy and rhabdomyolysis after carbon monoxide intoxication: A case report

• Published in: Medicine (Baltimore) Vol. 97; no. 23; p. e11051
• Main Authors: Lee, Hyeok Dong, Lee, Sung Young, Cho, Young-Shin, Han, Seung Hoon, Park, Si-Bog, Lee, Kyu Hoon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wolters Kluwer Health 01.06.2018
• Subjects: Adult; Carbon Monoxide - toxicity; Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - complications; Clinical Case Report; Compartment Syndromes - diagnosis; Compartment Syndromes - etiology; Electromyography - methods; Humans; Male; Neural Conduction - physiology; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - etiology; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - physiopathology; Rhabdomyolysis - diagnosis; Rhabdomyolysis - etiology; Rhabdomyolysis - therapy; Sciatic Neuropathy - etiology; Sciatic Neuropathy - physiopathology; Sciatic Neuropathy - rehabilitation; Suicide, Attempted - psychology; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0025-7974; 1536-5964
• DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000011051

Peripheral neuropathy is a rare complication of carbon monoxide intoxication. Peripheral neuropathy following carbon monoxide intoxication is known to completely recover within a few months. A 40-year-old man complained of motor weakness and hypoesthesia of the right lower extremity with swelling of his right thigh after carbon monoxide intoxication resulting from a suicide attempt. Following nerve conduction and electromyographic studies, the patient was diagnosed with sciatic neuropathy with severe axonopathy. Clinical and laboratory findings led to a diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis. The patient was treated conservatively for rhabdomyolysis and underwent comprehensive rehabilitation for sciatic neuropathy during hospitalization. After discharge, he underwent serial follow-up tests with nerve conduction and electromyographic studies, which showed prolonged persistence of sciatic neuropathy; however, he showed significant improvement at his 26-month post-discharge follow-up. Patients presenting with peripheral neuropathy secondary to carbon monoxide intoxication may show variable recovery periods; however, a favorable prognosis can be expected regardless of the concomitant occurrence of rhabdomyolysis and/or compartment syndrome.