A Rare Presentation of Patient With CIDP Found to Have Respiratory Failure and Encephalopathy

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare neuropathy that presents with progressive weakness, sensory disturbances, areflexia, and ataxia. Respiratory failure and encephalopathy are rare and atypical presentations in patients with CIDP. In this report, we discuss a rare presentation of respiratory failure that required intubation and encephalopathy in a patient presenting with clinical signs of typical CIDP supported by nerve conduction, neuroimaging, and cerebrospinal fluid studies. Treatment with plasma exchange and steroids led to minimal clinical improvement in this scenario. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is important, and further research is warranted to understand associations between CIDP and such rare features.