Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
26:48
Induction and Clinical Scoring of Chronic-Relapsing Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Published on: July 4, 2007
Hashimoto's encephalopathy in the intensive care unit
B Chaigne1, E Mercier, D Garot
1Department of Internal Medicine, Tours University Hospital, Tours, France. benjamin.chaigne@hotmail.fr
Neurocritical Care
|March 28, 2013
Summary
Hashimoto's Encephalitis (HE) is increasingly reported and can present with severe symptoms requiring intensive care. Awareness among intensive care unit (ICU) practitioners is crucial for managing this potentially life-threatening neurological condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Intensive Care Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Hashimoto's Encephalitis (HE), first described in 1966, has seen a rise in reported cases.
- HE can manifest with severe neurological symptoms, including status epilepticus, necessitating intensive care unit (ICU) admission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize patients with Hashimoto's Encephalitis admitted to the ICU.
- To emphasize the intensive care management and outcomes of HE patients.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study was conducted.
- Data from HE patients admitted to the University Hospital of Tours, France, between 2000 and 2012 were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Eight cases of HE requiring ICU admission were identified.
- Patient characteristics, ICU management strategies, and clinical outcomes were described.
Conclusions:
- Hashimoto's Encephalitis can present with life-threatening conditions.
- Intensive care unit practitioners must be aware of HE due to its potential severity and need for specialized management.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Hepatic Encephalopathy
DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
01:25Hyperthyroidism I: Introduction
Hyperthyroidism is a type of thyrotoxicosis characterized by the thyroid gland's overproduction of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). This hormone excess increases the basal metabolic rate and enhances sensitivity to catecholamines.DiagnosisDiagnosis is based on clinical features and biochemical testing. It typically shows suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels below 0.4 mIU/L, with elevated free T3 and/or T4. Additional tests, including thyroid...
01:28Graves' Disease I: Introduction
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism, or overactivity of the thyroid gland. It results from autoantibodies called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins (TSIs), which bind to thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptors, leading to overstimulation of hormone production and a hypermetabolic state.EtiologyAlthough considered idiopathic, Graves’ disease has well-established contributing factors. There is a strong genetic component, with increased prevalence in...
01:27Hyperthyroidism II: Pathophysiology
Hyperthyroidism is a hypermetabolic state caused by elevated levels of thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). It results from dysregulation at the thyroid, pituitary, or immune system level and affects multiple organ systems.PathophysiologyThe most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies, specifically thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSAb), a subtype of TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb), bind to and activate TSH receptors...