Acute demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system.

Acute demyelinating disorders of the central nervous system represent some of the most formidable management and therapeutic challenges to clinicians. These disorders include acute relapses of multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, optic neuritis, and transverse myelitis. This paper summarizes clinical manifestations of these disorders, as well as treatment strategies. Currently, immunosuppression with corticosteroids for the acute events is the mainstay of treatment. Other experimental therapies, which may be effective in certain patients, are discussed.