title: A comparison of the effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange as preoperative therapy of myasthenia gravis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Immunomodulation with plasma exchange is effective in preparing patients for thymectomy. Newer forms of immunomodulation, such as intravenous immunomodulation, require evaluation in this clinical setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective chart review to determine if plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin had comparable effectiveness in the preoperative preparation of patients with myasthenia gravis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show that intravenous immunoglobulin may have comparable efficacy in the preoperative preparation of patients with myasthenia gravis and that this therapy is a reasonable alternative to plasma exchange in this clinical setting.
authors.affiliation: University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bril
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000628:therapy*; D010951:Plasma Exchange / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous