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Treatment of chronic relapsing inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy by plasma exchange
Author(s) -
Server Alfred C.,
Lefkowith James,
Braine Hayden,
McKhann Guy M.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410060313
Subject(s) - polyradiculoneuropathy , medicine , weakness , cerebrospinal fluid , disease , polyradiculopathy , surgery , anesthesia , guillain barre syndrome , immunology
A 58‐year‐old man developed recurrent episodes of symmetrical motor weakness associated with acroparesthesias and areflexia. The cerebrospinal fluid protein was elevated and nerve conduction velocities were slowed. There was no evidence of systemic disease or toxic exposure, and a diagnosis of chronic relapsing inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy was made. The patient improved during treatment with corticosteroids, but steroid‐induced complications necessitated discontinuance. A recrudescence of symptoms prompted a search for alternative therapy, and plasma exchange was tried. A marked improvement in strength was noted following each course of plasma exchange, suggesting that further similar trials are justified.