Data from: The spectrum of immune-mediated and inflammatory lesions of the brainstem: clues to diagnosis

The presentation of a patient with brainstem symptoms and signs invokes a
number of common and less common differential diagnoses, and accurate
diagnosis can be challenging. We review the major immune-mediated and
inflammatory syndromes that can affect the brainstem including multiple
sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, neuro-Behcet’s disease,
chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement
responsive to steroids, neurosarcoidosis, Susac’s syndrome and the
histiocytic disorders. We focus on clinical features and magnetic
resonance imaging clues that help to distinguish between the different
brainstem conditions. Accurate diagnosis is important to guide appropriate
treatment and limit neurological disability.