Vasculitis-related stroke in young as a presenting feature of novel coronavirus disease (COVID19) - Case report

Abstract

COVID-19 is the disease caused by Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection and world current main public health problem, due to its easy transmissibility and multiple clinical presentations. The main symptoms reported worldwide are dry cough, dyspnea, and fever, as well as anosmia and ageusia. COVID-19 diagnosis is made with RT-PCR, but many other complementary exams may be used to guide clinical practice, such as Chest Computerized Tomography (CT), showing ground glass opacities; increase in inflammatory markers, as C-Reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate; hemogram might show hypoalbuminemia, thrombocytopenia. Severe cases may evolve to thromboembolic and atheroembolic events, leading to stroke, myocardial infarction, pulmonary thromboembolism. Male, 28 years old, went for neurological appointment after presenting episode of intense headache, dysarthria, deviation of lip rhyme on appointment's eve. Previously healthy, no comorbidities or risk factors. Underwent brain MRI and serum serological analysis. SARS-CoV-2 capacity of affecting brain homeostasis by breaking blood-brain barrier, makes it easier to develop ischemic or inflammatory damage, and invading central nervous system. Neurological symptoms and syndromes are the main consequences of COVID-19 pandemic and must be prevented through adequate clinical management.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Stroke; Vasculitis.