Questions posted in the Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: Arachnoiditis and Autoimmuity

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Arachnoiditis

Re: Arachnoiditis and Autoimmuity

Re: Arachnoiditis and Autoimmuity

Posted by ccf neuro M.D. on May 30, 1997 at 14:30:25:

In Reply to: Arachnoiditis and Autoimmuity posted by Percy C. Zanger, M.D. on May 22, 1997 at 12:58:24:

: I am a retired phsician, recently diagnosed with spinal arachnoiditis, resulting from four failed spine surgeries. I have heard somewhere that there may be an autoimmune factor operatring in this disorder, but can find no information on it.
Since this condition progresses long after the trauma that caused it, autoimmunity is a reasonable possibility. If this is so, has any research been done on the use of immune modulating drugs in this dsisease?
I would appreciate any information you may have on this subject.
Sincerely,
Percy C. Zanger (in Los Angeles)


Dr. Zanger, I am neither aware of nor able to find any information that substantiates the contention that autoimmunity plays a significant pathogenic role in the genesis of arachnoiditis, nor that immunosuppressant drugs play any appropriate role in its treatment; nor is it standard of care; as such, I would not advise the use of such agents for this purpose.



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