IVIG Neurology
Central Nervous System
While Peripheral Nervous System conditions account for the majority of Ig use in neurology, there is a small, but growing, use of Ig for Central Nervous System (CNS) conditions. In order to address this need a working group made up of neurologists, CNS specialists and transfusion medicine physicians was established to develop treatment recommendation for IVIg use for CNS conditions in BC. These recommendations, along with additional resources, are intended to support clinicians in diagnosing and managing these conditions. The program will officially launch on February 1, 2023 with the intention to provide access to neurology expertise and to ensure appropriate Ig utilization.
Sincere thanks to the CNS Ig Use Working Group members for their time and contribution in developing these valuable resources: Dr. Robert Carruthers, Dr. Helen Cross, Dr. Jennifer Percy, Dr. Dewi Schrader, Dr. Anthony Traboulsee, and Dr. Chris Uy.
Neurologist Resources:
Conditionally Approved |
Dated |
Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD) |
Dec 2022 |
MOG Antibody Disease (MOGAD) | Dec 2022 |
Acute Disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) | Refer to NMOSD or MOGAD |
Transverse Myelitis | Refer to NMOSD or MOGAD |
Optic Neuritis | Refer to NMOSD or MOGAD |
Stiff Person Spectrum Disorder | Dec 2022 |
Progressive Encephalitis with Rigidity and Myoclonus (PERM) | Refer to Stiff Person Spectrum Disorder |
Antibody Mediated Autoimmune Encephalitis (AMAE) | Dec 2022 |
Antibody Negative Autoimmune Encephalitis (ANAE) | Refer to Antibody Mediated Autoimmune Encephalitis (AMAE) |
CNS Complications of Systemic Vasculitis | Under development |
Automimmune Epilepsy | Dec 2022 |
Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome (FIRES) / New-Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus (NORSE) | Dec 2022 |
Super Refractory Status Epilepticus |
Dec 2022 |
Severe Disabling Drug Resistant Non-Surgical Epilepsy | Dec 2022 |
Rasmussen Encephalitis | Dec 2022 |
Childhood Epileptic Encephalopathy | Dec 2022 |
Landau Kleffner Syndrome | Refer to Childhood Epileptic Encephalopathy |
Electrical Status Epilepticus in Sleep Syndrome (ESES) | Refer to Childhood Epileptic Encephalopathy |
PANDAS | Under development |
Opsoclonus Myoclonus | Under development |
Susac Syndrome | Dec 2022 |
Only in Exceptional Circumstances |
Dated |
Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration | Dec 2022 |
Lennox Gastaut | Dec 2022 |
Atypical Rolandic Epilepsy | Refer to Lennox Gastaut |
West Syndrome | Refer to Lennox Gastaut |
Multiple Sclerosis | Dec 2022 |
Not Indicated |
Dated |
Lupus Cerebritis | Dec 2022 |
Myalgic Encephalitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | Dec 2022 |
Peripheral Nervous System
Building on the framework and success of the IVIg Rheumatology Program, the Neuromuscular Program was developed in 2012. The structure for the Neuromuscular Program was developed in consultation with a Provincial Neurology Taskforce. The program consists of guidance to support Transfusion Medicine screening of approved indications as well as centralized screening of possibly indicated, now referred to as conditionally approved, conditions after a short IVIg trial to determine effectiveness. With the expansion of the IVIg Neurology program to include Central Nervous System (CNS) conditions, the Neuromuscular Program was rebranded as the Neurology Program, where Neuromuscular conditions are now referred to as Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) conditions.
Peripheral Nervous System Clinical Resources for IVIG |
Dated |
Jan 2017 | |
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) | |
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy Diagnostic and Treatment Algorithm |
Jan 2017 |
Reference for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy |
Jan 2017 |
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) | |
Jan 2017 | |
Jan 2017 | |
Jan 2017 | |
Myasthenia Gravis (MG) | |
Jan 2017 | |
Jan 2017 | |
Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) | |
Multifocal Motor Neuropathy Diagnostic and Treatment Algorithm |
Jan 2017 |
Jan 2017 |
Video: BC Neuromuscular IVIG Task Force: Review of Objectives and Process
To view the video, your computer must be compatible with Mediasite.
Blood Product Request Portal
Looking for Blood Product Request Portal User Help & Support?
See Programs/ Blood Product Request Portal/ User Support for user manuals and other training materials.
IVIg Neurology
The BC Ig Neurology Program provides support for the appropriate use of IVIg through the provision of clinical guidance and consultation. The goal of the program is to support physicians across the province in clinical management of patients with conditions where Ig therapy is being considered. The program includes centralized screening of select neurology conditions with the aim of providing peer-to-peer consultative support, ongoing patient evaluations, optimized IVIg utilization and improving patient care. The program has recently been restructured to support both Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) and Central Nervous System (CNS) conditions.
The current BC IVIG Neurology Program Panel members include Dr. Kristine Chapman, Dr. Katie Beadon and Dr. Nadim Jiwa.
The following documents will support the Neurology Program. For specific condition details, refer to the condition lists located on the PNS and CNS pages.
Screening Physician and Utilization Management Coordinator References:
Guide for Treatment of Neurology Conditions with IVIg
Condition Index - Neurology and Related conditions