ABSTRACT
Introduction: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of central nervous system (CNS) complications in patients with COVID-19 have been reported. Isolated, longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM), is a unique presentation of CNS involvement. The limited reports, its diverse clinical manifestations and the possible long-term consequences make the reporting crucial to further our understanding of those syndromes occurring in COVID-19 positive patients. Case Presentation A 63-year old male consulted the emergency department after a sudden onset of gait ataxia, a one-week history of paresthesia progressing from the feet to the midsternal area and urinary. He tested positive on a SARS-CoV-2 RNA RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swab two days prior to the onset of his symptoms. Neurological examination showed a sensory level at T7 with symmetrically reduced fine touch, vibration, proprioception and furthermore an ataxic gait was observed. Cerebrospinal fluid on day one of admission showed pleocytosis, predominantly neutrophils, elevated protein count and normal glucose level and IgG. MRI of the spinal cord revealed a diffusely increased signal intensity involving the near-complete spinal cord, from the brainstem to level T12, fitting the diagnosis of LETM. Conclusion: The few cases of transverse myelitis in association with COVID-infection are believed to have an immune-mediated postinfectious mechanism. In this case however, parainfectious direct viral invasion of the spinal cord is far more likely because of a neutrophilic predominance in CSF and a short timespan between infection and symptoms. It could provide more clues that the SARS-CoV-2 is acutally capable of causing direct neurotoxic effects.