Recent advance in chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids

Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids is a newly defined inflammatory central nervous system disorder. Ataxia, dysphasia, and diplopia are the most common clinical symptoms. The radiological distribution is focused on the brain stem and cerebellum; the perivascular and T cell predominant inflammatory cell infiltrates in the affected lesions. Rapid clinical and radiological improvements of symptoms were observed with the use of glucocorticosteroid based immunosuppression, while any attempts to withdrawal or taper GCS below a particular lower dose limit may provoke the recurrence of clinical or radiological symptoms. Key words: Brain stem; Encephalitis; MRI; Glucocorticosteroids; Lymphocyte