Neuroimaging Correlates of Acute Encephalopathy

Acute encephalopathies arise as a result of various contributions from infections or toxic, metabolic, and/or structural cerebral derangements. With the variety of clinical presentations, neurologic examination, electroencephalography (EEG), and imaging may not identify specific etiologies, but in combination, they can offer guidance regarding underlying causes. Among several different neuroimaging techniques, cerebral computed tomography and brain magnetic resonance imaging are most frequently used for diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and prognostication in acute brain dysfunction. This review compiles the most common and typical features of head computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and presents the clinical and EEG associations in adult patients with different types of acute encephalopathy.