Plasma exchange for steroid-refractory relapses in multiple sclerosis: an observational, MRI pilot study.

Background: Numerous studies have shown that plasma exchange (PE) is effective as second-line treatment of severe exacerbations of multiple sclerosis (MS) or other idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system that are nonresponsive to steroid therapy.

Objective: The goal of this study was to analyze the effect of PE on clinically active radiologic lesions in steroid-refractory relapses of MS and idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system.

Methods: This was a prospective, observational pilot study in which the primary end point was the degree of radiologic resolution of active lesions after PE.