Treatment of primary angiitis of the central nervous system in childhood with mycophenolate mofetil.

Abstract

To assess the use of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in the treatment of refractory primary angiitis of the CNS in childhood (cPACNS). A retrospective chart review was performed in patients with cPACNS who were treated with MMF following failure of a combination of corticosteroids and another immunosuppressant. Three patients from two centres were included in this study. The age of onset of disease was 5, 6 and 9 years. All the patients improved when treated with MMF, such that the dose of corticosteroids could be weaned or stopped. MMF should be considered for maintenance treatment in the management of patients with cPACNS refractory to the combination of corticosteroids and first-line immunosuppressive agents.