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Neuroradiology
Published in: Neuroradiology 11/2011

01-11-2011 | Continuing Education

Autoimmune-mediated encephalitis

Authors: Philippe Demaerel, Wim Van Dessel, Wim Van Paesschen, Rik Vandenberghe, Koen Van Laere, Jennifer Linn

Published in: Neuroradiology | Issue 11/2011

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Abstract

Autoimmune-mediated encephalitis may occur as a paraneoplastic or as a non-paraneoplastic condition. The role of neuroimaging in autoimmune-mediated encephalitis has changed in the last decade partly due to improvements in sequence optimisation and higher field strength and partly due to the discovery of an increasing number of antibodies to neuronal cell and cell membrane antigens. Imaging is important since it can support the clinical diagnosis particularly in the absence of antibodies. Structural imaging findings can be subtle and are usually best seen on FLAIR images. A progressive as well as a relapsing–remitting course can be observed. Autoimmune-mediated encephalitis is classically linked to involvement of the hippocampus and amygdala, but extensive changes in the temporal cortex, basal ganglia, hypothalamus, brain stem, frontal and parietal cortex are not unusual. This report is based on a review of the literature (except the literature in Japanese) and own findings in patients with autoimmune-mediated encephalitis.
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Metadata
Title
Autoimmune-mediated encephalitis
Authors
Philippe Demaerel
Wim Van Dessel
Wim Van Paesschen
Rik Vandenberghe
Koen Van Laere
Jennifer Linn
Publication date
01-11-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Neuroradiology / Issue 11/2011
Print ISSN: 0028-3940
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1920
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-010-0832-0

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