title: Plasmapheresis in fulminant acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
abstract: We describe two patients with fulminant acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) treated with plasmapheresis after they failed to improve on steroids. Both patients improved concomitant with the plasma exchange. These are the first reported cases of fulminant ADEM with extensive white matter abnormalities on imaging studies treated with a regimen of plasmapheresis and steroids. Plasmapheresis may be beneficial in this disorder.
authors.affiliation: Neurology/Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kanter
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Horensky
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sperling
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Malachowski
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Churchill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D004673:Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed