The Utility of IVIG in the Management of Autoimmune Encephalitis: A Retrospective Case Series

Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) involves inflammation of the brain parenchyma due to autoantibodies targeting neuronal cell surfaces or synaptic proteins [1]. It is a rapidly progressive disorder and can lead to significant morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and possible mortality. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a treatment for AE that may be used when other acute treatments are ineffective or contraindicated. It has been proven useful in many autoimmune disorders [2-5], though is underutilized in AE due to lack of controlled studies. We report a retrospective case series, in which the use of IVIG was a life-saving measure for two patients with autoimmune encephalitis. These cases demonstrate that IVIG may be an important treatment option to consider for both acute and maintenance management of AE.