Acute cervical dystonia following the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by a novel coronavirus SARS-Cov-2. Four major vaccine types are being used to fight against this deadly pandemic and save precious human lives. All types of vaccines have been associated with a risk of neurological complications ranging from mild to severe. Cervical dystonia occurring after a COVID-19 vaccine was not previously reported in the literature. In this article, we describe a case of acute cervical dystonia occurring after the first dose of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine. We attribute the occurrence of cervical dystonia to the vaccine due to the temporal relationship. This report adds to the literature a possible rare side effect of a COVID-19 vaccine and contributes to the limited literature on potential neurological side effects of mRNA-based vaccines. The likely mechanism is autoimmune. Further research is needed to probe and study the exact mechanism.

Rapid implementation of telemedicine in Neurology during the COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges in King Abdulaziz Medical City-Jeddah.

Telemedicine is defined as the remote medical practice of delivering healthcare services to the underserved using information and communication technology. It encompasses a wide range of medical activities, including diagnosis, treatment, disease prevention, and education. The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant social dislocation, negative economic impact, and a major change in medical practice in Saudi Arabia. Telemedicine has rapidly moved to the frontline of healthcare practice due to the demand for prevention and mitigation strategies. It has been encouraged and facilitated with huge government support. Herein, we describe the virtual clinical practice of the neurology department at King Abdulaziz Medical City-Jeddah in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This narrative review is an urgent call to improve the perception and knowledge of both medical personnel and patients concerning telemedicine and to support the utilization of advanced information and communication technology.