Magnetic resonance imaging of limbic encephalitis.

: The authors describe the imaging appearance of limbic encephalitis. This condition may be the presenting complaint of patients with an occult malignant lesion, as in the case reported here. The contrast-enhanced cerebral computed tomography scans of patients with limbic encephalitis may be normal, yet magnetic resonance imaging may show distinctive features. Because neurologic improvement may follow treatment of the primary tumour, early diagnosis is important.