I ended up in hospital with encephalitis, a ct showed inflammation on the brain, i had an mri five days after the initial diagnosis would you expect the mri to show any trace of the encephalitis? if the mri was clear would you rule encephalitis out?

Clinical signs and symptoms may be more reliable in assessing any residual issues with the brain than repeat MRI. Not all functional changes may be reflected in an imaging study. Wish you good health!

Since soft tissue changes are seen well on an MRI, would suspect to see some residual inflammation. But spinal fluid studies might provide better clinical objectification