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PET/MRI may reveal MRI-occult inflammation

In a rare anti-vimentin encephalitis case, molecular imaging detected abnormalities that declined alongside neurologic improvement following immunotherapy.

  • By

  • Andrea Surnit

  • October 28, 2026

  • 4 min

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  • 1

    A man in his late 40s with anti-vimentin IgG–associated autoimmune encephalitis had neurologic symptoms despite initially unremarkable cranial and cervical MRI findings.

  • 2

    CSF testing detected anti-vimentin IgG and type III oligoclonal bands, while serum anti-vimentin IgG testing was negative.

  • 3

    F-18–DPA714 PET/MRI showed elevated tracer uptake in the mesial temporal lobe, frontal lobes, and brainstem despite no characteristic MRI abnormalities.

  • 4

    At 3 months, tracer uptake decreased and gait and numbness improved after IVIG induction and ofatumumab maintenance; the report could not determine each treatment’s contribution.

  • 5

    The single-patient report and 3-month follow-up do not establish PET/MRI diagnostic performance, long-term outcomes, or ofatumumab’s independent effectiveness.

Original Source(s)

PET/MRI may reveal MRI-occult inflammation

  • by Andrea Surnit

  • October 28, 2026

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