Plasma exchange and selective adsorption in Guillain-Barré syndrome--a comparison of therapies by clinical course and side effects.
Selective adsorption is a new method of treating Guillain-Barré syndrome.  Its therapeutic effects and its concomitant side effects were compared between plasma exchange and symptomatic treatment only. The clinical study of three groups of 10 Guillain-Barré patients, each matched for age and maximal disability, was analyzed.  Selective adsorption compared favorably with plasma exchange in shortening the time to first improvement and duration of in-hospital treatment. Side effects were similar in both groups.  Symptomatic arteriosclerosis should be considered a relative contraindication for selective adsorption.
Department of Neurology, University of Koln, Germany.
F
F
Rosenow
W F
WF
Haupt
P
P
Grieb
C
C
Jiménez-Klingberg
H
H
Borberg
D000327:Adsorption; D000328:Adult; D000075202:Contraindications; D006801:Humans; D002537:Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D010951:Plasma Exchange / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D011129:Polyradiculoneuropathy / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies