Seven cases of an encephalitic brainstem syndrome are reported. All had an initial flu-like phase, with a febrile state. Then, all had eye movements disturbances and ataxia. Six had a variable dysfunction of other cranial nerves, five had dysmetria of limbs and three had pyramidal signs. In all, the topographic diagnosis was based on clinical, neurophysiological (electromyography, evoked potentials) and neuroradiological (swelled brainstem on CT scan) findings. Analysis of cerebro-spinal fluid revealed pleocytosis (mean; 165 cells/ml), without profile indicative of multiple sclerosis. Serologic tests for Adenovirus or Echovirus were positive in three cases. All recovered spontaneously. With a mean follow-up of three years there was no relapse and the clinical examination remained normal. These seven cases had, after exclusion of other brainstem syndromes, a Bickerstaff's encephalitis. Previous reports are discussed and a post-infectious origin is proposed to this benign syndrome.