[Intravenous IgG for treatment of neuromuscular diseases].

BACKGROUND

Highly purified IgG administered intravenously (IVIG) is used to treat many neurological diseases.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

This review is based on articles identified through a search in PubMed and the authors' knowledge and experience within the field.

RESULTS

The effect of IVIG has been best documented in the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, multifocal motor neuropathy and acute exacerbation of myasthenia gravis. Some smaller studies support explorative IVIG treatment in other neurological diseases such as Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, paraproteinemic neuropathy, neuropathy caused by vasculitis, inflammatory myopathies and stiff-person syndrome.

INTERPRETATION: IVIG affects the immune system in different ways. Documentation for the effect of such treatment in most neurological diseases remains sparse.