Toxic and metabolic encephalopathies: iconographic essay

Generally, toxic-metabolic diseases affecting the central nervous system can hardly be differentiated just on the basis of their clinical presentation. However, some typical neuroradiological features can guide the correct diagnosis. In this context, magnetic resonance imaging is an important tool which, in association with clinical and laboratory data, can establish an early and specific treatment. The present pictorial essay with selected cases from the archives of the authors' institution describes imaging findings which might help in the etiologic diagnosis of toxic-metabolic diseases.