Discussion: ADEM is a rare autoimmue demyelinating disease of the brain and is distinct from MS in diagnosis and treatment. As demonstrated in this case study, steroids and IVIG are not effective in ADEM while plasmapheresis is the recommended treatment. This case demonstrates a variant of ADEM with predominant spinal cord involvement and accompanying optic neuritis that improved with rehabilitation therapy and plasmapheresis. Conclusions: ADEM should be differentiated from MS when making a diagnosis since the treatment is different. Also intensive rehabilitation may play an important role in functional improvements for ADEM as this case demonstrated.
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