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Bezold A, Hussain H, Nwanze J, Roberts JT, Hsieh KCJ. Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation of COVID-19-Associated Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis. Cureus 2023; 15:e42275. [PMID: 37605696 PMCID: PMC10440160 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A 42-year-old woman presented with drooling, slurred speech, inability to walk and talk, and a recent positive COVID-19 test. She had two prior hospital admissions within the past week for similar symptoms with inconclusive evaluation. MRI of the brain demonstrated multifocal white matter hyperintense lesions on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR)/diffusion with variable enhancement. These imaging findings have been described in recent literature and are associated with inflammatory demyelinating disease, such as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. The patient subsequently underwent a brain biopsy with a final diagnosis of inflammatory demyelinating lesion. To our knowledge, this is the first radiologic-pathologic correlation of COVID-19-associated acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Bezold
- Vascular and Interventional Radiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
| | - Huda Hussain
- Radiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
| | - Julum Nwanze
- Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
| | - James T Roberts
- Diagnostic Radiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
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Amer WO, El Gharieb HA, Ahmed Z, Ibrahim H, Alanazi A, Meshref M. Special considerations and pitfalls for intracerebral bleeding followed COVID-19 case treated by ECMO. BRAIN HEMORRHAGES 2023:S2589-238X(23)00023-2. [PMID: 37359506 PMCID: PMC10257510 DOI: 10.1016/j.hest.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19, or coronavirus infection, is an acute respiratory illness caused by the corona virus that can develop into a life-threatening form of ARDS. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a highly effective treatment for life-threatening instances. One of the many complications associated with ECMO was bleeding. COVID patients are at risk for intracerebral bleeding due to several factors, including the drug's action on ACE2 receptors, leading to hypertension, as well as hypercoagulability, dysregulated immune response, DIC, and the use of anticoagulants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wael Osman Amer
- Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
- Professor of Neurology, Faculty Of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hussein Awad El Gharieb
- Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
- Professor of Neurology, Faculty Of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Zakaria Ahmed
- Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
- Professor of Neurology, Faculty Of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Ahmed Alanazi
- Training Internal Medicine Resident, King Salman Armed Forces Hospital, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mostafa Meshref
- Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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Symeonidou E, Dimitriadou A, Morsi-Yeroyannis A, Sidiropoulou MS, Gkoutziotis I, Petras P, Mpallas K. COVID-19 related acute necrotizing encephalopathy presenting in the early postoperative period. Arch Clin Cases 2023; 10:78-85. [PMID: 37293685 PMCID: PMC10246599 DOI: 10.22551/2023.39.1002.10246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Besides respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 also has potential neurotropic effects. Acute hemorrhagic necrotizing encephalopathy is a rare complication of Covid-19. This article presents a case of an 81-year-old female, fully vaccinated, who underwent laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy due to gastroesophageal junction cancer. In the early postoperative period, the patient developed persistent fever accompanied by acute quadriplegia, impaired consciousness, and no signs of respiratory distress. Imaging with Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance revealed multiple bilateral lesions both in gray and white matter, as well as pulmonary embolism. Covid-19 infection was added to the differential diagnosis three weeks later, after other possible causes were excluded. The molecular test obtained at that time for coronavirus was negative. However, the high clinical suspicion index led to Covid-19 antibody testing (IgG and IgA), which confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was treated with corticosteroids with noticeable clinical improvement. She was discharged to a rehabilitation center. Six months later, the patient was in good general condition, although a neurological deficit was still present. This case indicates the significance of a high clinical suspicion index, based on a combination of clinical manifestations and neuroimaging, and the confirmation of the diagnosis with molecular and antibody testing. Constant awareness of a possible Covid-19 infection among hospitalized patients is mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elissavet Symeonidou
- 5th Department of Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Medicine, Ippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Antonios Morsi-Yeroyannis
- 5th Department of Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Medicine, Ippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Ioannis Gkoutziotis
- 5th Department of Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Medicine, Ippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Petras
- 5th Department of Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Medicine, Ippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Mpallas
- 5th Department of Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Medicine, Ippokratio General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Asadi P, Maleki S, Zia Ziabari SM, Noori Roodsari N. A 14-year-old boy with multiple trauma and bilateral basal ganglia hemorrhage due to coronavirus disease 2019: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2023; 17:88. [PMID: 36895041 PMCID: PMC9998261 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-023-03824-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 spread worldwide, causing acute respiratory distress syndrome. Coronavirus disease 2019 presents from an asymptomatic infection to severe disease causing multiorgan failure. Neurological manifestations were observed in some patients, including intracerebral hemorrhage. Bilateral basal ganglia hemorrhage is rare due to trauma. CASE PRESENTATION Our patient was a 14-year-old Iranian boy with multiple trauma and loss of consciousness who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019. The brain computed tomography scan reported bilateral basal ganglia hemorrhage. Bilateral ground glass opacity was reported through a chest computed tomography scan. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS In this study, we reported a 14-year-old boy referred to the emergency room due to multiple trauma. Through the medical interventions, bilateral basal ganglia hemorrhage was discovered incidentally. Coronavirus disease 2019 was detected in this patient on the basis of findings in chest computed tomography scan and positive real reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test. Several clinical reports and series exploring the relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 and ischemic strokes have been published. Coronavirus disease 2019, like other acute respiratory syndromes, can invade the central nervous system through hematogenous and neuronal dissemination or it can be an immune response to the cytokine storm. In conclusion, it is vital to know the pathophysiology of the neurological manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 and prevent the mild neurological manifestations leading to severe conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payman Asadi
- School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences (GUMS), Rasht, Guilan Province, Iran.,Roud Trauma Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.,Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Saba Maleki
- School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences (GUMS), Rasht, Guilan Province, Iran.,Roud Trauma Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.,Clinical Research Development Unit of Poursina Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Seyyed Mahdi Zia Ziabari
- School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences (GUMS), Rasht, Guilan Province, Iran.,Clinical Research Development Unit of Poursina Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.,Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Nazanin Noori Roodsari
- School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences (GUMS), Rasht, Guilan Province, Iran. .,Roud Trauma Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran. .,Clinical Research Development Unit of Poursina Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
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Agrawal S, Farfel JM, Arfanakis K, Al-Harthi L, Shull T, Teppen TL, Evia AM, Patel MB, Ely EW, Leurgans SE, Bennett DA, Mehta R, Schneider JA. Brain autopsies of critically ill COVID-19 patients demonstrate heterogeneous profile of acute vascular injury, inflammation and age-linked chronic brain diseases. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:186. [PMID: 36528671 PMCID: PMC9758667 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01493-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examined neuropathological findings of patients who died following hospitalization in an intensive care unit with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS Data originate from 20 decedents who underwent brain autopsy followed by ex-vivo imaging and dissection. Systematic neuropathologic examinations were performed to assess histopathologic changes including cerebrovascular disease and tissue injury, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammatory response. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and fixed tissues were evaluated for the presence of viral RNA and protein. RESULTS The mean age-at-death was 66.2 years (range: 26-97 years) and 14 were male. The patient's medical history included cardiovascular risk factors or diseases (n = 11, 55%) and dementia (n = 5, 25%). Brain examination revealed a range of acute and chronic pathologies. Acute vascular pathologic changes were common in 16 (80%) subjects and included infarctions (n = 11, 55%) followed by acute hypoxic/ischemic injury (n = 9, 45%) and hemorrhages (n = 7, 35%). These acute pathologic changes were identified in both younger and older groups and those with and without vascular risk factors or diseases. Moderate-to-severe microglial activation were noted in 16 (80%) brains, while moderate-to-severe T lymphocyte accumulation was present in 5 (25%) brains. Encephalitis-like changes included lymphocytic cuffing (n = 6, 30%) and neuronophagia or microglial nodule (most prominent in the brainstem, n = 6, 30%) were also observed. A single brain showed vasculitis-like changes and one other exhibited foci of necrosis with ball-ring hemorrhages reminiscent of acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalopathy changes. Chronic pathologies were identified in only older decedents: 7 brains exhibited neurodegenerative diseases and 8 brains showed vascular disease pathologies. CSF and brain samples did not show evidence of viral RNA or protein. CONCLUSIONS Acute tissue injuries and microglial activation were the most common abnormalities in COVID-19 brains. Focal evidence of encephalitis-like changes was noted despite the lack of detectable virus. The majority of older subjects showed age-related brain pathologies even in the absence of known neurologic disease. Findings of this study suggest that acute brain injury superimposed on common pre-existing brain disease may put older subjects at higher risk of post-COVID neurologic sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Agrawal
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Jose M. Farfel
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Konstantinos Arfanakis
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.62813.3e0000 0004 1936 7806Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Lena Al-Harthi
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Tanner Shull
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Tara L. Teppen
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Arnold M. Evia
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Mayur B. Patel
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship (CIBS) Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA ,grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Center for Health Services Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA ,grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Departments of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA ,grid.452900.a0000 0004 0420 4633The Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center (GRECC), Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), Nashville, TN USA
| | - E. Wesley Ely
- grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship (CIBS) Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA ,grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Center for Health Services Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA ,grid.412807.80000 0004 1936 9916Departments of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN USA ,grid.452900.a0000 0004 0420 4633The Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center (GRECC), Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), Nashville, TN USA
| | - Sue. E. Leurgans
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - David A. Bennett
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Rupal Mehta
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
| | - Julie A. Schneider
- grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Jelke Building, 1750 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612 USA ,grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA ,grid.240684.c0000 0001 0705 3621Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL USA
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Post-COVID-19 acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: Case report and review of the literature. NEUROIMMUNOLOGY REPORTS 2022. [PMCID: PMC8772132 DOI: 10.1016/j.nerep.2022.100066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Our understanding of the spectrum of neurological manifestations associated with COVID-19 keeps evolving. Reports of life-threatening neurological complications, such as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), are alarmingly growing in number. Case presentation We report a 42 years old previously healthy man who presented with left visual loss and cognition deterioration, manifesting at least ten days after infection with SARS-CoV-2. Serological work-up for potential immunological markers (i.e., antibodies against aquaporin-4 and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein) were negative. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple bilateral and asymmetrical lesions in the brainstem, cortical, juxtacortical, and periventricular regions, with surrounding edema. Post-contrast sequences demonstrated punctate, ring, and open ring enhancement patterns. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy was initiated for the patient, and he was placed on rituximab. After one month, his clinical symptoms had resolved, and his cognitive function was normal. Conclusions We conducted an extensive literature search, and COVID-19-associated ADEM cases reported thus far were identified and reviewed. ADEM often occurs in a post-infectious fashion; however, it is unclear how SARS-CoV-2 infection can trigger such rapidly progressive episodes of encephalopathy and demyelination. Nevertheless, considering the alarming number of cases of ADEM developing after SARS-CoV-2 infection, neurologists should consider this severe phenotype of COVID-19 neurological complication in mind, enabling prompt therapeutic interventions to be made.
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