Neuroimaging characteristics may aid in diagnosis, subtyping, and prognosis in autoimmune encephalitis.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the utility of neuroimaging characteristics as biomarkers of prognosis in seropositive autoimmune encephalitis (AE).

METHODS

In this multi-center study, we retrospectively analyzed 66 cases of seropositive AE. The MRI and PET imaging was assessed by independent visual inspection. Whole brain and regional volumes were imputed by IcoMetrix, an automated volumetric assessment package. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was utilized to assess the patients' follow-up disability. Other outcomes were mortality, first line treatment failure, medial temporal lobe (MTL) atrophy, and clinical relapse. Univariate and multivariable regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Abnormalities on MRI were detected in 35.1% of patients, while PET was abnormal in 46.4%. Initial median whole brain and hippocampal volumes were below the 5th and 20th percentile respectively compared to an age-matched healthy database. After a median follow-up of 715 days, 85.2% had good functional outcome (mRS ≤ 2). Nine patients developed MTL atrophy during follow-up. On multivariable analysis, inflammatory MTL changes were associated with development of MTL atrophy (HR 19.6, p = 0.007) and initial hippocampal volume had an inverse relationship with mortality (HR 0.04, p = 0.011). Patients who developed MTL atrophy had a reduced chance of good final mRS (HR 0.16, p = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

Neuroimaging on initial hospital admission may be provide important diagnostic and prognostic information. This study demonstrates that structural and inflammatory changes of the MTL may have importance in clinical and radiological prognosis in seropositive AE.