High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of demyelinating neuropathy associated with monoclonal gammopathy.
We treated 2 patients with IgM monoclonal paraproteinemic demyelinating peripheral neuropathy (PPN) with monthly intravenous human immunoglobulin. Both patients had a steadily progressive course in spite of steroid and other immunosuppressive therapy for 3 years before starting the immunoglobulin therapy. Both had a rapid clinical improvement noticeable 5 to 10 days after the 1st immunoglobulin infusion lasting on the average of 3 to 6 weeks. Retreatment caused improvement after each consecutive infusion. There were no significant adverse side effects. High-dose IV human immunoglobulin can be a useful therapy in the treatment of PPN and warrants a large-scale controlled therapeutic trial.
Cook
D
D
National Navy Medical Center, Bethesda, MD.
Dalakas
M
M
Galdi
A
A
Biondi
D
D
Porter
H
H
D000368:Aged; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000628:therapy*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000628:therapy*
D007136:Immunoglobulins