Trichinosis as an Unusual Cause of Respiratory Failure of Neuromuscular Origin: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Hypercapnic respiratory failure due to muscle weakness secondary to polymyositis (PM) is quite exceptional in the intensive care setting. We draw attention to the presentation of a case of trichinosis manifested by severe muscle weakness that was attributed to PM refractory to the steroid treatment. Clin Pulm Med 2003;10(4):235-240