Early SARS-CoV-2-associated acute transverse myelitis: A case for neurotropism?

J Intern Med. 2022 Oct;292(4):679-683. doi: 10.1111/joim.13542. Epub 2022 Jul 13.

Abstract

There are increasing reports of immune-mediated and para-infectious syndromes beyond the well-known respiratory manifestations of severe-acute-respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, the spectrum of severe neurological sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 remains undefined. We present the case of a 66-year-old female with rapidly progressive lower limb neurology 3 days post SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinical and radiological findings were in keeping with transverse myelitis and treatment success was achieved with methylprednisolone and remdesivir. This report will discuss the associations between SARS-CoV-2 and acute transverse myelitis. We believe this is one of few described cases of early SARS-CoV-2-associated transverse myelitis secondary to neurotropism and the first successfully treated with the inclusion of remdesivir in the therapeutic regimen.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-COV-2; myelitis; neurotropism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • COVID-19* / complications
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Myelitis, Transverse* / drug therapy
  • Myelitis, Transverse* / etiology
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Methylprednisolone