MRI findings in a remitting-relapsing case of Bickerstaff encephalitis

Neuroradiology. 2002 May;44(5):411-4. doi: 10.1007/s00234-001-0733-3. Epub 2002 Feb 27.

Abstract

A case of remitting-relapsing Bickerstaff encephalitis is reported. The article focuses on its imaging findings and their significance when a clinical differentiation between Bickerstaff encephalitis and Miller-Fisher syndrome is attempted. Signs and symptoms may occasionally overlap. However, because Miller-Fisher syndrome is related to the peripheral nervous system and Bickerstaff encephalitis is a central disease, the recognition of brain stem hypointense lesions on T1-weighted images, which are hyperintense on T2-weighted sequences, could be a reliable tool when the clinical diagnosis is unclear.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Stem / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Encephalitis / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Miller Fisher Syndrome / pathology