Prediction of response to plasma exchange in chronic relapsing polyneuropathy. A clinico-pathological correlation.

The clinical features, results of nerve conduction studies and sural nerve biopsy findings have been compared in 5 patients with chronic relapsing polyneuropathy in whom plasma exchange was used in treatment. In 2 patients who consistently responded to plasma exchange, the dominant pathological findings was segmental demyelination without prominent onion bulb formation, whereas axonal degeneration was more prominent in the cases which did not respond. It is concluded that in cases of chronic relapsing polyneuritis where the clinical, electrophysiological and histological features suggest primary demyelination, plasma exchange may provide a useful adjunct to therapy.