Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy with Unusual MRI Findings Mimicking Meningoencephalitis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Hashimoto’s encephalopathy (HE) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by a high serum concentration of antithyroid antibodies without evidence of cerebral disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in HE patients are nonspecific, although diffuse or focal white matter changes have been reported in several cases. We present a rare case involving a 79-yearold woman with elevated antithyroid antibody levels and abnormal imaging findings similar to meningoencephalitis. Serial MRI initially showed multiple T2 hyperintense lesions with diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement that disappeared after steroid therapy.

Keywords

• hashimoto’s encephalitis
• autoantibodies
• meningoencephalitis
• magnetic resonance imaging