Covid-19 infection as a possible risk factor for longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis!


KOÇ E. R., TURAN Ö. F., Menguc B.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, vol.134, no.2, pp.193-196, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 134 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/00207454.2022.2098731
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo
  • Page Numbers: pp.193-196
  • Keywords: Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis, Covid-19, central nervous system manifestations
  • Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Introduction There is limited data about the neurological effects of Covid-19 in infected patients. In this report, we present 2 LETM cases that are possibly associated with Covid-19 infection. Methods Here, we present 2 cases that subsequently developed LETM following Covid-19 infection. The first case presented a finding of tetraparesis prominent in the lower extremities that started ten days after the Covid-19 infection. The second patient was admitted with paraparesis and urinary-stool retention on the 12th day from the onset of symptoms of Covid-19 infection. Results In these 2 cases, LETM developing following Covid'19 infection was associated with Covid-19 infection. Although Covid-19 PCR was negative in the CSF of both patients, the Covid-19 PCR test was positive in the samples taken from the oropharynx. Conclusion The mechanism of LETM caused by Covid-19 infection is not clearly known. However, both direct infection of the spinal cord and excessive inflammatory response to primary Covid-19 infection may cause spinal cord damage. Therefore, possible Covid-19-associated myelitis should be kept in mind in cases of long segment transverse myelitis grouped under the title of NMOSD and without any etiological factor.