Role of therapeutic plasma exchange in neuromyelitis optica: A case series

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the optic nerves and spinal cord and generally has a relapsing course. It is an autoimmune demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system caused by the binding of aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G to water channel protein at the astrocyte foot process. Here, we are presenting the effectiveness of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) therapy in the improvement of disability scores of 11 patients with NMO. A total of 49 procedures were done, and the mean number of TPE sessions was 4.45. The outcome was analyzed in the form of improvement in the Expanded Disability Status Scale score and visual acuity.

Keywords

• disability improvement
• neuromyelitis optica
• therapeutic plasma exchange