[Intravenous immunoglobulin in postpolio syndrome].

BACKGROUND

Postpolio syndrome is characterised by new muscular weakness, pain, and fatigue several decades after the acute polio, and affects approximately 1/4 of patients with previous paralytic polio.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A 47-year-old woman with a previous history of acute poliomyelitis developed progressive muscular weakness in her left arm and right leg with muscular pain and fatigue. Clinical examination, MRI, and electromyography gave no other explanation to her progressive muscular weakness and fatigue than postpolio syndrome. She was treated with 400 mg/kg immunoglobulin intravenously for five consecutive days.

RESULTS

At follow-up two and three months later, she had a considerable increase in isokinetic muscle strength in knee extension and flexion on the right side, and experienced less fatigue.

INTERPRETATION

This case suggests that stabilisation of an autoimmune dysfunction may be a therapeutic option in postpolio syndrome.