J Med Case Rep . Encephalomyelitis associated with coronavirus disease 2019: a case report

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J Med Case Rep


. 2022 Aug 23;16(1):329.
doi: 10.1186/s13256-022-03539-9.
Encephalomyelitis associated with coronavirus disease 2019: a case report


Riwanti Estiasari ^{1 2} , Kartika Maharani ^{3 4} , Fitri Octaviana ^{3 4} , Anyelir Nielya Mutiara Putri ³ , Syifa Laila Ramadhan ³ , Anna Rozaliani ^{5 4} , Darma Imran ^{3 4}



Affiliations

• PMID: 35999589
• DOI: 10.1186/s13256-022-03539-9

Abstract

Background: Despite a considerable number of articles regarding neurological manifestations associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, reports on transverse myelitis and encephalitis are scarce.
Case presentation: We report a 35-year-old Asian Arab female presenting with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis within 3 weeks after being diagnosed with mild coronavirus disease 2019 infection. Administration of high-dose methylprednisolone led to significant clinical improvement. However, 2 days after discharge, the patient was readmitted with encephalitis manifestations, consisting of fever and loss of consciousness, along with deterioration in myelitis symptoms. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 antibody was detected in cerebrospinal fluid, but DNA of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was not found. Clinical recovery was achieved after the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin.
Conclusion: Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis can be a neurological manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 and can be followed by encephalomyelitis episodes. High-dose steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin as an immunomodulator are possible effective treatment options.

Keywords: COVID-19; Case report; Encephalomyelitis; Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis.