Márquez Catalina
Mexico
Research Article
Optic Neuritis Unresponsive to Steroids: Prevalence, Characteristics and Plasma Exchange Treatment
Author(s): Rito Yamel, Playas Gil, Márquez Catalina, Flores José and Corona TeresaRito Yamel, Playas Gil, Márquez Catalina, Flores José and Corona Teresa
Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a demyelinating disease associated to the presence of anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibodies and damage to the optic nerve and spinal cord. Sometimes Steroids do not stop the autoimmune response. Plasma exchange (PE) is a purification technique used to remove high weight molecules (e.g. antibodies), and it has shown efficacy in NMO unresponsive to steroids. However, the roll of PE in optic neuritis (ON) unresponsive to steroids secondary to NMO has been less studied.
Objective: We present our experience about ON unresponsive to steroids in NMO´s patients characteristics and PE treatment results.
Materials and method: retrospective study included 56 NMO medical records since January 2010 to May 2015. ON unresponsive to steroids cases and PE treatment were included. Visual.. View More»