Hospital consultation for the patient with generalized weakness.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

: This article provides a syndromic approach to generalized weakness for neurologists performing hospital consultations, with special consideration of the problems of neurogenic respiratory muscle weakness and failure to wean from mechanical ventilation.

RECENT FINDINGS

: The differential diagnosis for generalized weakness is broad and requires careful review of the history and the key components of the patient's hospitalization as well as consideration of the inpatient context (intensive care unit, postoperative period, medical ward, or oncologic service).

SUMMARY

: The likely diagnoses for generalized weakness are based largely on the hospital setting. Most cases are not due to primary neurologic diseases.