Catalog

Autoimmune brainstem encephalitis

No MMS code

Link to WHO Definition

Autoimmune brainstem encephalitis – http://id.who.int/icd/entity/1138372432

Autoimmune brainstem encephalitis is an inflammatory immune-mediated disease of the brainstem resulting in subacute symptoms and signs (typically multiple cranial neuropathies) referable to the brainstem. This may occur from neurological involvement of a known systemic autoimmune disorder (e.g. Bechet's disease) or as an isolated autoimmune neurological disease. Accompanying non organ specific (anti-nuclear antibody) and neural autoantibodies (e.g. voltage gated potassium channel autoantibodies) may be found. They are not associated with cancer. MRI may be normal or reveal abnormalities within the brainstem and spinal fluid is typically inflammatory. Other causes of brainstem encephalitis should be excluded (e.g. infections).