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Van Steenhoven RW, de Vries JM, Bruijstens AL, Paunovic M, Nagtzaam MM, Franken SC, Bastiaansen AE, De Bruijn MA, Van Sonderen A, Schreurs MWJ, Gardeniers M, Verdijk RM, Balvers RK, Sillevis Smitt PA, Neuteboom RF, Titulaer MJ. Mimics of Autoimmune Encephalitis: Validation of the 2016 Clinical Autoimmune Encephalitis Criteria. NEUROLOGY(R) NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2023; 10:e200148. [PMID: 37582614 PMCID: PMC10427145 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000200148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The clinical criteria for autoimmune encephalitis (AE) were proposed by Graus et al. in 2016. In this study, the AE criteria were validated in the real world, and common AE mimics were described. In addition, criteria for probable anti-LGI1 encephalitis were proposed and validated. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, patients referred to our national referral center with suspicion of AE and specific neuroinflammatory disorders with similar clinical presentations were included from July 2016 to December 2019. Exclusion criteria were pure cerebellar or peripheral nerve system disorders. All patients were evaluated according to the AE criteria. RESULTS In total, 239 patients were included (56% female; median age 42 years, range 1-85). AE was diagnosed in 104 patients (44%) and AE mimics in 109 patients (46%). The most common AE mimics and misdiagnoses were neuroinflammatory CNS disorders (26%), psychiatric disorders (19%), epilepsy with a noninflammatory cause (13%), CNS infections (7%), neurodegenerative diseases (7%), and CNS neoplasms (6%). Common confounding factors were mesiotemporal lesions on brain MRI (17%) and false-positive antibodies in serum (12%). Additional mesiotemporal features (involvement extralimbic structures, enhancement, diffusion restriction) were observed more frequently in AE mimics compared with AE (61% vs 24%; p = 0.005). AE criteria showed the following sensitivity and specificity: possible AE, 83% (95% CI 74-89) and 27% (95% CI 20-36); definite autoimmune limbic encephalitis (LE), 10% (95% CI 5-17) and 98% (95% CI 94-100); and probable anti-NMDAR encephalitis, 50% (95% CI 26-74) and 96% (95% CI 92-98), respectively. Specificity of the criteria for probable seronegative AE was 99% (95% CI 96-100). The newly proposed criteria for probable anti-LGI1 encephalitis showed a sensitivity of 66% (95% CI 47-81) and specificity of 96% (95% CI 93-98). DISCUSSION AE mimics occur frequently. Common pitfalls in AE misdiagnosis are mesiotemporal lesions (predominantly with atypical features) and false-positive serum antibodies. As expected, the specificity of the criteria for possible AE is low because these criteria represent the minimal requirements for entry in the diagnostic algorithm for AE. Criteria for probable AE (-LGI1, -NMDAR, seronegative) and definite autoimmune LE are applicable for decisions on immunotherapy in early disease stage, as specificity is high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin W Van Steenhoven
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Juna M de Vries
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arlette L Bruijstens
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Manuela Paunovic
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mariska M Nagtzaam
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne C Franken
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anna E Bastiaansen
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marienke A De Bruijn
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Agnes Van Sonderen
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco W J Schreurs
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mayke Gardeniers
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert M Verdijk
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rutger K Balvers
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A Sillevis Smitt
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rinze F Neuteboom
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten J Titulaer
- From the Department of Neurology (R.W.V.S., J.M.V., A.L.B., M.P., M.M.N., S.C.F., A.E.B., M.A.D.B., P.A.S.S., M.J.T.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam; Department of Neurology (A.V.S.), Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague; Departments of Immunology (M.W.J.S.), Radiology (M.G.), Neuropathology (R.M.V.), and Neurosurgery (R.K.B.), Erasmus MC University Medical Center; and Department of Pediatric Neurology (R.F.N.), Sophia Childrens Hospital, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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