[Experiences with high dosage immunoglobulin G in neuromuscular diseases].
High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) was used as alternative treatment in 39 patients with crisis in myasthenia gravis (MG), acute polyneuritis (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Of 10 patients with MG, 3 recovered completely, 5 patients improved except for long-standing ocular signs, 1 patient was weaned from artificial ventilation, and one patient did not improve after IVIG, but did so after plasma exchange. 25 GBS patients were treated with IVIG, progression of weakness was stopped in 24; 12 showed complete or near complete recovery and 6 improved markedly. Of 4 patients with CIDP, 2 responded definitely. The majority of patients with MG, GBS, CIDP, respond to IVIG treatment. The effect seems to be equivalent to plasma exchange. In GBS, IVIG may be superior. Side effects of IVIG are negligible, and there is no risk of transmission of AIDS-, hepatitis-, or other viruses.
Schuchardt
V
V
Neurologische Universitätsklinik Heidelberg.
Hotz
M
M
Hund
E
E
Sun
S
S
Heitmann
R
R
Hacke
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy
D007074:Immunoglobulin G