title: [Photopheresis--anew method for treatment of myasthenia].
abstract: Photopheresis with blood lymphocytes UV radiation exposure was for the first time used in the treatment of patients with myasthenia. Twenty-three patients with generalized form of the disease, aged 23-66 years, were treated. Twenty patients (87%) exhibited clinical improvement after a treatment course (4 sessions). One photopheresis session was shown to be more or less beneficial in 16 out of 23 patients (70%). The treatment resulted in strengthening of all the muscles studied, especially of mimic, platysma, biceps, deltoid, illiopsoas and gastrocnemius. Photopheresis was effective not only in a mild and moderate but in severe form of myasthenia as well. Compared to plasmapheresis, photopheresis exerts a more prolonged effect. Clinical improvement correlated with positive changes in immune status of the patients.
authors.forename: V Ia
authors.initials: VIa
authors.lastname: Neretin
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Kil'diushevskiĭ
authors.forename: B V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Agafonov
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Gekht
authors.forename: O P
authors.initials: OP
authors.lastname: Sidorova
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Ospel'nikova
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D017893:Photopheresis; D016896:Treatment Outcome