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Brain 18F-FDG PET for the diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis: a systematic review and a meta-analysis

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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To consolidate current understanding of detection sensitivity of brain 18F-FDG PET scans in the diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis and to define specific metabolic imaging patterns for the most frequently occurring autoantibodies.

Methods

A systematic and exhaustive search of data available in the literature was performed by querying the PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane databases for the search terms: ((PET) OR (positron emission tomography)) AND ((FDG) OR (fluorodeoxyglucose)) AND ((encephalitis) OR (brain inflammation)). Studies had to satisfy the following criteria: (i) include at least ten pediatric or adult patients suspected or diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis according to the current recommendations, (ii) specifically present 18F-FDG PET and/or morphologic imaging findings. The diagnostic 18F-FDG PET detection sensitivity in autoimmune encephalitis was determined for all cases reported in this systematic review, according to a meta-analysis following the PRISMA method, and selected publication quality was assessed with the QUADAS-2 tool.

Results

The search strategy identified 626 articles including references from publications. The detection sensitivity of 18F-FDG PET was 87% (80–92%) based on 21 publications and 444 patients included in the meta-analysis. We also report specific brain 18F-FDG PET imaging patterns for the main encephalitis autoantibody subtypes.

Conclusion and relevance

Brain 18F-FDG PET has a high detection sensitivity and should be included in future diagnostic autoimmune encephalitis recommendations. Specific metabolic 18F-FDG PET patterns corresponding to the main autoimmune encephalitis autoantibody subtypes further enhance the value of this diagnostic.

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All authors contributed significantly to the analysis and interpretation of the data (MB, MD, MBC, AV), to the writing of the manuscript (EM, AV) and to the revision of the manuscript (EG, AK, LT, AV).

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Correspondence to Antoine Verger.

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Bordonne, M., Chawki, M.B., Doyen, M. et al. Brain 18F-FDG PET for the diagnosis of autoimmune encephalitis: a systematic review and a meta-analysis. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 48, 3847–3858 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-021-05299-y

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