Plasmapheresis in acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
High-dose corticosteroid administration has been regarded as the main therapy for acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). However, some patients with ADEM do not respond well to this treatment. We successfully used plasmapheresis to treat 2 patients who had ADEM. We also compared our patients' symptoms and clinical outcomes to those from previous reports. Plasmapheresis may be indicated not only for severe cases that fail to improve after high-dose corticosteroid treatment but also for first-line treatment. Additional large, controlled, double-blinded trials are needed to clarify the role of plasmapheresis in ADEM.
Lin
Chin-Hsien
CH
Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.
Jeng
Jiann-Shing
JS
Yip
Ping-Keung
PK
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004673:Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010956:Plasmapheresis
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous