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Sanvito F, Pichiecchio A, Paoletti M, Rebella G, Resaz M, Benedetti L, Massa F, Morbelli S, Caverzasi E, Asteggiano C, Businaro P, Masciocchi S, Castellan L, Franciotta D, Gastaldi M, Roccatagliata L. Autoimmune encephalitis: what the radiologist needs to know. Neuroradiology 2024; 66:653-675. [PMID: 38507081 PMCID: PMC11031487 DOI: 10.1007/s00234-024-03318-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Autoimmune encephalitis is a relatively novel nosological entity characterized by an immune-mediated damage of the central nervous system. While originally described as a paraneoplastic inflammatory phenomenon affecting limbic structures, numerous instances of non-paraneoplastic pathogenesis, as well as extra-limbic involvement, have been characterized. Given the wide spectrum of insidious clinical presentations ranging from cognitive impairment to psychiatric symptoms or seizures, it is crucial to raise awareness about this disease category. In fact, an early diagnosis can be dramatically beneficial for the prognosis both to achieve an early therapeutic intervention and to detect a potential underlying malignancy. In this scenario, the radiologist can be the first to pose the hypothesis of autoimmune encephalitis and refer the patient to a comprehensive diagnostic work-up - including clinical, serological, and neurophysiological assessments.In this article, we illustrate the main radiological characteristics of autoimmune encephalitis and its subtypes, including the typical limbic presentation, the features of extra-limbic involvement, and also peculiar imaging findings. In addition, we review the most relevant alternative diagnoses that should be considered, ranging from other encephalitides to neoplasms, vascular conditions, and post-seizure alterations. Finally, we discuss the most appropriate imaging diagnostic work-up, also proposing a suggested MRI protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Sanvito
- Unit of Radiology, Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic, and Paediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Viale Camillo Golgi, 19, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
- UCLA Brain Tumor Imaging Laboratory (BTIL), Center for Computer Vision and Imaging Biomarkers, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Anna Pichiecchio
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Advanced Imaging and Artificial Intelligence Center, Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Paoletti
- Advanced Imaging and Artificial Intelligence Center, Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Rebella
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Martina Resaz
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luana Benedetti
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Massa
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Largo Daneo 3, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Morbelli
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Via Antonio Pastore 1, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Eduardo Caverzasi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Advanced Imaging and Artificial Intelligence Center, Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Carlo Asteggiano
- Advanced Imaging and Artificial Intelligence Center, Department of Neuroradiology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Pietro Businaro
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Neuroimmunology Laboratory and Neuroimmunology Research Section, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefano Masciocchi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Neuroimmunology Laboratory and Neuroimmunology Research Section, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lucio Castellan
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Diego Franciotta
- Neuroimmunology Laboratory and Neuroimmunology Research Section, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Gastaldi
- Neuroimmunology Laboratory and Neuroimmunology Research Section, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Via Mondino 2, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Luca Roccatagliata
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Via Antonio Pastore 1, 16132, Genoa, Italy
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Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes of the central nervous system: a single institution 7-year case series. Acta Neurol Belg 2023:10.1007/s13760-023-02232-y. [PMID: 36884202 PMCID: PMC9994403 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-023-02232-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNSs) are nonmetastatic complications of malignancy, defined by the presence of onconeural antibodies (ONAs). ONAs may be found in 60% of patients with central nervous system (CNS) involvement, and they are directed against intraneuronal antigens or channels, receptors or associated proteins located at the synaptic or extra-synaptic neuronal cell membrane. Given its rare incidence, there are few epidemiological case series on CNS-PNS. We aim to discuss the variability of CNS-PNSs etiology, clinical features, management and outcome, highlighting the importance of early recognition and appropriate treatment, leading to significant reduction of mortality and morbidity. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed our 7-years single-center experience, and specifically discussed the underlying etiology, parenchymal CNS involvement, and the acute treatment response. Only cases fulfilling PNS Euronetwork criteria for definitive PNS were included. RESULTS A total of 26 probable PNSs cases involving CNS were identified. We reported medical records of eleven (42.3%) illustrative cases, meeting the criteria of definite PNS and presenting variable clinical spectrum and different radiological appearances. Our series has a relative paucity of the most common syndromes and larger portion of clinical diagnosis with ONAs. Well-characterized ONAs had been detected in CSF of six patients. CONCLUSIONS Our case series supports the utmost importance of early recognition of CNS-PNSs. Screening for occult malignancies should not be limited to patients with classical CNS syndrome. Empiric immunomodulatory therapy may be considered before the diagnostic evaluation is completed, in order to prevent unfavorable outcome. Late presentations should not discourage initiation of treatment.
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Bechter K. The Challenge of Assessing Mild Neuroinflammation in Severe Mental Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:773. [PMID: 32973573 PMCID: PMC7469926 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent psychoneuroimmunology research has provided new insight into the etiology and pathogenesis of severe mental disorders (SMDs). The mild encephalitis (ME) hypothesis was developed with the example of human Borna disease virus infection years ago and proposed, that a subgroup SMD patients, mainly from the broad schizophrenic and affective spectrum, could suffer from mild neuroinflammation, which remained undetected because hard to diagnose with available diagnostic methods. Recently, in neurology an emerging new subgroup of autoimmune encephalitis (AE) cases suffering from various neurological syndromes was described in context with the discovery of an emerging list of Central Nervous System (CNS) autoantibodies. Similarly in psychiatry, consensus criteria of autoimmune psychosis (AP) were developed for patients presenting with CNS autoantibodies together with isolated psychiatric symptoms and paraclinical findings of (mild) neuroinflammation, which in fact match also the previously proposed ME criteria. Nevertheless, identifying mild neuroinflammation in vivo in the individual SMD case remains still a major clinical challenge and the possibility that further cases of ME remain still under diagnosed appears an plausible possibility. In this paper a critical review of recent developments and remaining challenges in the research and clinical diagnosis of mild neuroinflammation in SMDs and in general and in transdisciplinary perspective to psycho-neuro-immunology and neuropsychiatry is given. Present nosological classifications of neuroinflammatory disorders are reconsidered with regard to findings from experimental and clinical research. A refined grading list of clinical states including "classical" encephalitis, AE, AP/ME,and newly proposed terms like parainflammation, stress-induced parainflammation and neuroprogression, and their respective relation to neurodegeneration is presented, which may be useful for further research on the possible causative role of mild neuroinflammation in SMDs. Beyond, an etiology-focused subclassification of ME subtypes, like autoimmune ME or infectious ME, appears to be required for differential diagnosis and individualized treatment. The present status of the clinical diagnosis of mild neuroinflammatory mechanisms involved in SMDs is outlined with the example of actual diagnosis and therapy in AP. Ideas for future research to unravel the contribution of mild neuroinflammation in the causality of SMDs and the difficulties expected to come to novel immune modulatory, anti-infectious or anti-inflammatory therapeutic principles in the sense of precision medicine are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Bechter
- Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy II, Ulm University, Bezirkskrankenhaus Günzburg, Günzburg, Germany
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