Plasma exchange (PLEX) is a therapeutic apheresis modality in which the plasma is separated from inflammatory factors such as circulating autoreactive immunoglobulins, the complement system, and cytokines, and its therapeutic effect is based on the removal of these mediators of pathological processes. Plasma exchange is well established for various neurological disorders, and it is applied successfully in central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating diseases (CNS-IDD). It mainly modulates the humoral immune system; thus, it has a greater theoretical effect in diseases with prominent humoral mechanisms, such as neuromyelitis optica (NMO). However, it also has a proven therapeutic effect in multiple sclerosis (MS) attacks. Several studies have suggested that patients with severe attacks of CNS-IDD have poor response to steroid therapy but show clinical improvement after the PLEX treatment. Currently, PLEX is generally established only as a rescue therapy for steroid unresponsive relapses. However, there are still research gaps in the literature regarding plasma volume, number of sessions, and how early the apheresis treatment needs to started. Thus, in the present article, we summarize the clinical studies and meta-analyses, especially about MS and NMO, outlining clinical data regarding the experience with therapeutic PLEX in severe attacks of CNS-IDD, the clinical improvement rates, the prognostic factors of a favorable response, and highlighting the likely role of the early apheresis treatment. Further, we have gathered this evidence and suggested a protocol for the treatment of CNS-IDD with PLEX in the routine clinical practice.
ObjectiveWe report a case of biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis after an initial presentation of area postrema syndrome.MethodsA 65-year-old man was evaluated using MRI, temporal artery biopsy, and ultrasound.ResultsThe patient presented with refractory nausea, vomiting, and hiccups that caused weight loss without any other neurologic or clinical symptoms. His MRI scan 15 days later revealed a hyperintense sign on the area postrema with no abnormal diffusion or contrast enhancement, compatible with isolated area postrema syndrome. An extensive workup for inflammation and other etiologies including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disorder, and multiple sclerosis (MS) showed negative results. The patient responded to treatment with methylprednisolone. Two months after the initial clinical manifestation, the patient developed fatigue, headache, and scalp tenderness. He was diagnosed with giant cell arteritis after ultrasonography and biopsy were performed. He responded well to oral glucocorticoids and had only 1 relapse during tapering. He has not had arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy or any new episodes of area postrema syndrome.DiscussionThis case demonstrates the importance of expanding the differential diagnosis in patients with area postrema syndrome and no other signs of NMOSD.
Background Evidence is insufficient to show whether fortification has any effect on growth in preterm infants after discharge. Objective to verify whether VLBW preterm infants who are supplemented with multicomponent present greater anthropometric measurements than those not supplemented. Study Design Parallel randomized controlled trial. A computer-generated random number table was used to allocate the participants. Participants Preterm infants discharged from the NICU of a University Hospital from northeast, Brazil, weighing less than 1,500 g exclusively breastfed at discharge and followed up until they reached 6 months corrected gestational age. Intervention intervention group received Nestlé® PreNan® formula, fractionated in 2 g of powder, mixed with the mother's milk twice a day. Control group was exclusively breastfed. Follow-up was conducted until the infants reached 6 months corrected gestational age (CGA). Outcomes Growth of the anthropometrics parameters weight, head circumference (HC) and lenth with 6 months of corrected age. Mixed effects model for longitudinal data was used. Interaction according to sex was detected and ajusted. Results Weight gain was significantly higher in the intervention group. This effect was verified only for males (p = 0.001). No statistically significant association was observed between the intervention and the head circumference or length (p = 0.211; 0.597). The weaning rate at the end of follow-up was similar in both groups. Conclusions Breastmilk supplementation may improve the weight gain of very low birthweight preterm infants up to six months corrected gestational age. This effect differed by sex and was considered significant only for males.
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