GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN IN THE TREATMENT OF NEUROLOGIC DISEASES

The use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in the management of patients with neuroimmune disorders has shown a progressive trend over the last few years. Despite the wide use of IVIg, consensus on its optimal use is deficient. The European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) guidance regulations offer consensus recommendations for optimal use of IVIg. The effectiveness of IVIg has been proven in Guillain-Barre syndrome (level A), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (level A), multifocal mononeuropathy (level A), acute exacerbations of myasthenia gravis and short-term treatment of severe myasthenia gravis (level A). As a second-line treatment, the use of IVIg is recommended in dermatomyositis in combination with prednisone (level B) and is considered as a treatment option in polymyositis (level C). As a second- or even third-line therapy, the use of IVIg should be considered in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis if conventional immunomodulatory therapies are not tolerated (level B) and in relapses during pregnancy or post-partum period (good clinical practice point). Finally, it appears that the use of IVIg has a beneficial effect also in stiff-person syndrome (level A), some paraneoplastic neuropathies (level B), and some acute-demyelinating diseases and childhood refractory epilepsy (good practice point).