Treatment of chronic relapsing inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy by plasma exchange.

A 58-year-old man developed recurrent episodes of symmetrical motor weakness associated with acroparesthesias and areflexia. The cerebrospinal fluid protein was elevated and nerve conduction velocities were slowed. There was no evidence of systemic disease or toxic exposure, and a diagnosis of chronic relapsing inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy was made. The patient improved during treatment with corticosteroids, but steroid-induced complications necessitated discontinuance. A recrudescence of symptoms prompted a search for alternative therapy, and plasma exchange was tried. A marked improvement in strength was noted following each course of plasma exchange, suggesting that further similar trials are justified.