Toxic and acquired metabolic encephalopathies: MRI appearance

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. The differential diagnosis of patients presenting with acute encephalopathy is broad. Imaging can help in narrowing the differential in many cases. We pictorially review the more classic MRI features of several acute toxic and acquired metabolic encephalopathies. CONCLUSION. After completing this article, the reader will have knowledge of the more common imaging appearances of toxic and acquired metabolic encephalopathies, which will help in correctly identifying the cause of encephalopathy in some patients. © American Roentgen Ray Society.