Safety and efficacy of plasma exchange in pediatric transverse myelitis

Neurology. Clinical Practice
Daniel K Noland, Benjamin M Greenberg

Abstract

We sought to review safety and efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in a cohort of pediatric patients with transverse myelitis. Billing data of all plasma exchanges performed at our tertiary care pediatric hospital between August 2010 and August 2016 were compared to electronic medical records to find all patients whose indication for apheresis was transverse myelitis. Patient outcomes were quantified on the modified Rankin Scale. Fifteen of 19 patients (79%) had major improvement in symptoms after a course of 4-7 therapeutic plasma exchanges. The majority required further inpatient (6, 32%) or outpatient (8, 42%) physical therapy. Four (21%) patients returned to baseline and over 75% regained their ability to ambulate as of last follow-up. Four adverse events were noted over 114 treatments. TPE can be a useful treatment for pediatric transverse myelitis. The retrospective nature of this study without a comparator group limits conclusions about efficacy. However, controlled trials would help to validate our results. This study provides Class IV evidence that plasma exchange is safe and effective in pediatric transverse myelitis.

References

Sep 19, 2002·Neurology·UNKNOWN Transverse Myelitis Consortium Working Group
Dec 14, 2011·Neurology·T F ScottUNKNOWN Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of American Academy of Neurology
Dec 30, 2014·Neurology·Kumaran DeivaUNKNOWN United Kingdom Childhood Inflammatory Demyelination (UK-CID) Study and French Kidbiosep Study
Aug 31, 2016·Neurology·Michael AbsoudKumaran Deiva

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 9, 2019·Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology·Margherita Nosadini, Russell C Dale
Dec 4, 2019·Current Treatment Options in Neurology·Liana M Theroux, J Nicholas Brenton
Jan 30, 2021·Brain & Development·Jelte HelfferichUNKNOWN Dutch Study Group for Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis and Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis
Jul 26, 2021·Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery·Miraç YıldırımTanıl Kendirli

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.