Long survival and clinical stability in Marburg's variant multiple sclerosis

Marburg's variant multiple sclerosis (MS) is an acute and aggressive atypical form of MS, leading frequently to death in few months. A 32-year-old man with motor and sensory symptoms suggestive of acute myelopathy, rapidly followed by cerebellar dysfunction and consciousness impairment. Clinical, laboratory and radiological evaluations suggested a central nervous system demyelinating disease. The diagnosis was Marburg's variant MS, usually leading to death in short time. He underwent different treatments, including steroids, cyclophosphamide, plasma exchange and lastly interferon-beta. The patient reached clinical stability with severe residual disability, persistent after 3 years from onset. This observation suggests that subjects with Marburg's MS might reach long clinical stability.