title: Immunoadsorption plasmapheresis in acute ataxic neuropathy.
abstract: Acute ataxic neuropathy is characterized by sensory ataxia and areflexia. There is no established treatment. We tried immunoadsorption plasmapheresis 15 days after the onset for a 46-year-old woman suffering from this neuropathy. She could not walk even with assistance because of sensory ataxia. A sural nerve biopsy revealed active axonal degeneration and loss of myelinated fibers. We tried 5 sessions of plasmapheresis during 2 weeks. She could walk with assistance 12 days after the beginning of the plasmapheresis treatment. It took 3 months for her to be able to walk over 5 m without assistance, and she had severe sensory ataxia over a 17 month follow-up period. Immunoadsorption plasmapheresis started within 2 weeks after the onset of acute ataxic neuropathy may have beneficial effects if the axonal degeneration is mild. The plasmapheresis, however, should be continued for a longer period. A double blind study is necessary to clarify the effectiveness of this treatment on acute ataxic neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hakodate Medical Association Hospital, Hokkaido, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakao
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baba
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Habu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsunaga
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001259:Ataxia / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007164:Immunosorbents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010956:Plasmapheresis / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D007164:Immunosorbents