18F-FDG PET/CT findings in voltage-gated potassium channel limbic encephalitis

Clin Nucl Med. 2013 May;38(5):392-4. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0b013e318286b58b.

Abstract

Limbic encephalitis (LE) can be associated with cancer, viral infection, or be idiopathic. One such rare but treatable form is associated with voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC) antibodies. Typical abnormalities are seen in FDG PET/CT. We report a 39-year-old female patient who presented with 3 months of progressive faciobrachial dystonic seizures and limbic encephalitis. Her serum and cerebrospinal fluid Lgi1 antibody titers were elevated. FDG PET/CT showed basal ganglial hypermetabolism and associated abnormalities. Serial MRI demonstrated atrophic changes predominantly involving the temporal lobes. She is on immunosuppressive therapy and shows clinical improvement with lowering of antibody titers.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Limbic Encephalitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Limbic Encephalitis / metabolism*
  • Multimodal Imaging*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / metabolism*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Substances

  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18