Bilateral Lumbar Plexopathies and Rhabdomyolysis Complicating Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: A Case Report

doi:2019.21.2.74

J Electrodiagn Neuromuscul Dis > Volume 21(2); 2019 > Article

Case Report

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2019;21(2):74-78.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18214/jkaem.2019.21.2.74 Published online December 31, 2019.

Bilateral Lumbar Plexopathies and Rhabdomyolysis Complicating Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: A Case Report

Received: 12 February 2019 • Revised: 16 April 2019 • Accepted: 16 September 2019

Abstract

Bilateral lumbar plexopathies are very rare and peripheral neuropathy following carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning has rarely been reported. The report focuses on a patient with bilateral lumbar plexopathies and rhabdomyolysis after CO poisoning. A 32-yearold man visited the rehabilitation department because of decreased muscle strength involving bilateral lower extremities during 40 days after CO poisoning. The patient complained of numbness in the left medial knee area and lower extremity weakness. The electrodiagnostic study showed bilateral lumbar plexopathies. Following six months of rehabilitation program including therapeutic exercise and electrical stimulation therapy for lower extremities weakness, the patient walked a distance of 300-m without gait aids. We report the first case of lumbar plexopathy due to CO poisoning.

Key Words: carbon monoxide poisoning, lumbar plexopathies, rhabdomyolysis