Efficacy of Plasma Exchange Therapy for Steroid-Unresponsive Neuromyelitis Optica.
10.3341/jkos.2014.55.3.465
- Author:
Seong Ho JO
1
;
Jae Hwan CHOI
;
Hee Yonng CHOI
;
Jae Ho JUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea. jaeho0130@naver.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Neuromyelitisoptica;
Plasma exchange;
Steroid pulse therapy
- MeSH:
Eye Pain;
Humans;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Neuromyelitis Optica*;
Optic Nerve;
Optic Neuritis;
Orbit;
Plasma Exchange*;
Plasma*;
Recurrence;
Retreatment;
Visual Acuity;
Visual Fields
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2014;55(3):465-472
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To report the therapeutic efficacy of plasma exchange therapy on steroid-unresponsive neuromyelitisoptica (NMO) patients. CASE SUMMARY: Three patients who had not achieved improvement of visual acuity and visual field after high steroid pulse therapy after optic neuritis visited our clinic with decreasing visual acuity combined with eye pain in the other eye. All patients were diagnosed as neuromyelitisoptica (NMO) based on the presence of NMO-IgG antibody and optic nerve enhancing in contrast-enhanced orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Recurrent optic neuritis was observed. Steroid pulse retreatment was started but visual acuity was not improved in all patients. The patients received plasma exchange therapy, followed by immune suppression therapy. All patients showed improved visual acuity and restored visual field promptly without recurrence of neuromyelitisoptica. CONCLUSIONS: In case of steroid-unresponsive neuromyelitisoptica, plasma exchange should be promptly considered as the treatment of choice.
