Brainstem encephalitis

Inflammatory diseases

General description

Brainstem encephalitis is most often caused by anti-Ma2 antibodies, with other anti-Hu and anti-Ri antibodies also involved. In the brainstem region, the tegmentum is often predominantly injured. Lesions may involve not only the brainstem, but also the limbic system, thalamus and hypothalamus, superior cerebellar peduncle, and middle cerebellar peduncle.

Non-Space occupying lesion

Brainstem encephalitis

Anatomical regions
  • Brainstem
T2WI
Hyperintensity
FLAIR
Hyperintensity
Nodular
CE T1WI
Enhancement
Non-Space occupying lesion

Limbic encephalitis

Anatomical regions
  • Cerebrum
    Temporal lobe
    Amygdala
  • Cerebrum
    Temporal lobe
    Hippocampus
  • Cerebrum
    Cingulate gyrus
  • Cerebrum
    Insula
  • Claustrum
Symmetric
Bilateral
Morphology
Enlargement / swelling
T2WI
Hyperintensity
FLAIR
Hyperintensity
Non-Space occupying lesion

Other lesions

Anatomical regions
  • Thalamus
  • Hypothalamus
  • Superior cerebellar peduncle
  • Middle cerebellar peduncle
Symmetric
Bilateral
T2WI
Hyperintensity
FLAIR
Hyperintensity