Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) associated with COVID-19

BMJ Case Rep. 2020 Dec 13;13(12):e239597. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-239597.

Abstract

A 53-year-old man admitted to the critical care secondary to respiratory failure due to COVID-19 developed agitation and global hypotonia. Brain MRI revealed bilateral hyperintense lesions throughout the brain and cerebrospinal fluid identified oligoclonal bands. Intravenous high-dose glucocorticoids were administered followed by an oral tapering dose and the patient clinically improved. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis should be considered in patients with COVID-19 who present with altered mentation and polyfocal neurological deficits.

Keywords: COVID-19; adult intensive care; infectious diseases; intensive care; neurology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / diagnostic imaging
  • Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / drug therapy
  • Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / virology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroimaging
  • SARS-CoV-2