Imaging Review of Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndromes

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology
• Oncology

Background:

• Paraneoplastic syndromes involve immune or hormonal responses to neoplasms.
• Limbic encephalitis is the most recognized paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome.
• Other syndromes affect the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review imaging findings of paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes.
• To include less common entities and atypical presentations.
• To highlight diagnostic challenges for radiologists.

Main Methods:

• Review of imaging findings for various paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes.
• Discussion of limbic encephalitis, cerebellar degeneration, brain stem encephalitis, cranial neuropathy, myelitis, and polyneuropathy.
• Identification of common diagnostic pitfalls.

Main Results:

• Paraneoplastic syndromes present with diverse, often subtle, imaging findings.
• Imaging can mimic more common neurological pathologies.
• Recognition of specific patterns is crucial for diagnosis.

Conclusions:

• Accurate diagnosis of paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes relies on recognizing characteristic imaging findings.
• Awareness of atypical presentations and potential mimics is essential.
• Radiologists play a key role in identifying these challenging diagnoses.