title: Role of intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of acute relapses of neuromyelitis optica: experience in 10 patients.
abstract: Prompt treatment of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) relapses with steroids or plasma exchange (PLEX) often prevents irreversible disability. The objective of this study is to report the use of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) as treatment for acute relapses in NMO. A retrospective review of 10 patients treated with IVIG for acute relapses was conducted. IVIG was used in the majority of cases because of lack of response to steroids with/without PLEX. Improvement was noted in five of 11 (45.5%) events; the remaining had no further worsening. One patient, a 79-year-old woman, had a myocardial infarction seven days after IVIG. IVIG may have a role in treating acute NMO relapses.
authors.affiliation: The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
authors.forename: Liene
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Elsone
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Panicker
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mutch
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boggild
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Appleton
authors.forename: Anu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jacob
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
keywords: NMO; Neuromyelitis optica; acute treatment; aquaporin 4; intravenous immunoglobulins; relapse