A Case of Post Covid-19 Endotheliitis

A 49-year-old man presented with shortness of breath and fever. He was in diabetic ketoacidosis on admission and tested positive for COVID-19 on PCR. He became bacteraemic with streptococcus pneu- moniae secondary to a super-added left lower lobe pneumonia. He developed new heart failure felt to be secondary to myocarditis, evidenced by a resolving ejection fraction throughout his admission and an unremarkable cardiac MRI. After developing confusion on the ward, a CT head and MRI brain identified a spontaneous frontal haematoma and multiple micro-haemorrhages throughout the cerebral hemi- spheres, cerebellum and the pons. Repeat MRI brain with diffusion weighted imaging identified multiple silent infarcts in the small vessel territories. Bacterial endocarditis was excluded with Cardiology input and hypoperfusion also excluded based on normotension throughout admission. The case was discussed at the Encephalitis and Neurovascular MDT meetings where MRI vessel wall imaging was reviewed and felt to represent a post-infectious endotheliitis. He was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone for 3 days and a further 5 days, due to new silent infarcts on a subsequent MRI brain, before a 10 week oral steroid taper. Multi-system complications from COVID-19 are not limited to those in the intensive care unit or with severe respiratory illness.

Superior Cerebellar Artery Dissection in a Patient Diagnosed with Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome: A Case Report

Arterial dissection is an uncommon complication of reversible cerebral vasocon-striction syndrome (RCVS). We describe the case of a 35-year-old woman with a migraine history who presented with recurrent thunderclap headache and focal neurological signs, including right hemiataxia. She had been diagnosed with COVID-19 disease two weeks earlier. Neuroimaging revealed multifocal stenosis of the posterior circulation arteries and dissection of the right superior cerebellar artery. She improved significantly throughout her one-week hospitalization and maintained only mild ataxia. The interplay between COVID-19 disease, RCVS, and arterial dissection requires further investigation.Copyright © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) and Sinapse 2022.

An unusually fulminant case of encephalomyelitis in an 80 year old

Background: There have been reports of demyelinating syndromes in association with COVID-19 and to a much lesser extent COVID 19 vaccines. The association between demyelination and vaccines, in general, remains controversial. We review a presentation of fulminant demyelination, and discuss antecedent COVID-19 vaccination, the formulation of a broader differential diagnosis and ultimately the pathologic diagnosis. Case presentation: An 80-year-old woman presented with seizure, encephalopathy, quadriparesis and ultimately expired. She received a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine one day prior. Imaging revealed contrast enhancing cerebral lesions, longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. CSF was markedly inflammatory. Pathologic examination of the CNS lesions revealed demyelination and inflammation beyond white matter, not restricted to a perivenular distribution. Conclusion(s): This case depicts a seemingly fulminant course of a diffuse demyelinating syndrome characterized clinicopathologically as Marburg's variant of multiple sclerosis. There are several unique aspects of this case including the extremely rapid course, the unusual evolution of CSF abnormalities, with hypoglycorrhachia and markedly elevated protein. The proximity to vaccination is a pertinent association to document, though we cannot unequivocally prove causation.Copyright © 2022 The Authors

Brain diffusion alterations in patients with COVID-19 pathology and neurological manifestations.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 neurological manifestations have been progressively recognized. Among available MRI techniques, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) shows promise to study microstructure, inflammation, and edema. Previous DWI studies reported alterations in brain diffusivity in COVID-19 patients, as assessed by morphologic evaluation of brain DWI scans only. The aim of this study was to assess and quantify brain diffusion alterations in COVID-19 patients with neurological manifestations. METHODS: 215 COVID-19 patients with neurological manifestations (olfactory and/or other neurological disorders) and 36 normal controls were compared and studied with DWI and T1-weighted MRI scans. MRI scans were processed by a semi-automatic processing procedure specifically developed for the purpose of this study, and the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) was quantified in different brain tissues and individual white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) regions. Differences in ADC values were assessed between COVID-19 patients and normal controls, as well as in the COVID-19 patient population grouped by hospitalization and neurological symptoms. RESULTS: Among COVID-19 patients (median [IQR] = 52 [42 - 60] years of age, 58 % females), 91 were hospitalized and 26 needed intensive care. 84 patients had hyposmia/ageusia only, while 131 ones showed other neurological disorders. COVID-19 patients showed significantly increased ADC values in the WM and in several GM regions (p < 0.001). ADC values were significantly correlated with MRI time from disease onset (p < 0.05). Hospitalized patients showed significantly higher ADC alteration than non-hospitalized patients in all brain tissues; similarly, COVID-19 patients with neurological disorders showed significantly higher ADC values than those with olfactory loss only. ADC alteration was highest in patients with cognitive or memory disorder and in those with encephalitis or meningitis. ADC values were neither associated with the duration of hospitalization nor with the need for intensive care. CONCLUSION: Current findings suggest DWI potential as a non-invasive marker of neuroinflammation in COVID-19, and the transient nature of the same. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Facial myonecrosis following COVID-19.

Myositis and myonecrosis are rare sequela of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Until now, it has not been seen in muscles of the head and neck. We present a 22-year-old male with 4 months of retroauricular headaches following COVID-19 infection. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed rim-enhancing fluid collections in the bilateral masticator spaces which were sampled by fine-needle aspiration. We also discuss this case in the context of the current understanding of COVID-19-related myositis.

Neurological impact of COVID-19: Sub-acute brain microstructural alterations in self-isolated individuals

Objective: This study investigates the effects of COVID-19 on brain microstructure among those recently recovering from COVID-19 through self isolation. Background: Microstructural differences have previously been detected in comparisons of COVID-19 patients with controls, particularly in regions related to the olfactory system. The olfactory system is connected with the caudate, putamen, thalamus, precuneus, and cingulate regions. Design/Methods: Here we report diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (3 T Siemens MRI) findings from 40 patients (mean age: 43.7, 68% female) who self-isolated after testing positive for COVID (COV+), and 14 COVID negative (COV-) subjects (mean age: 43, 64% female) who had flu-like symptoms. This is part of the Canadian-based NeuroCOVID-19 study. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), mode of anisotropy (MO), free water fraction (F), tissue-specific FA (FAt) and tissue-specific MD (MDt) were obtained using data with b=700 and 1400 (DIPY free-water model). Regions of interest in the grey matter and white matter were delineated using FreeSurfer. Differences between groups were assessed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA), the Kruskal-Wallis Test and the Mann-Whitney Test, corrected for false-discovery rate of 0.05. Effect size (Cohen's d) was also computed (d>0.45 deemed large effect). Results: In the COV+ group, all three tests revealed decreased FA and FAt in the insula, and increased MD in the parstriangularis cortex. Increased FA and FAt in the cuneus (along with decreased MD) was also found. MD was reduced in COV+ in the temporal and supramarginal areas. MO was lower in COV+ in the insula and amygdala regions. Conclusions: In patients, higher MD with lower FA and MO suggest increased extracellular fluids, while lower MD with decreased FA and MO may suggest necrotic debris built up following inflammation. The cuneus and insula are involved in visual and taste processing, respectively. This study highlights the need to study neurological effects of COVID-19.

“Long-hauler ” impact of COVID-19 on brain microstructure: a 3-month follow-up study

Objective: This study investigates the chronic effects of COVID-19 on brain microstructure. Background: Microstructural differences have previously been detected in comparisons of COVID-19 patients with controls, particularly in the insula, cuneus, inferior temporal and anterior cingulate regions. Design/Methods: Here we report diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (3 T Siemens MRI) findings from 20 participants (mean age: 45.3, 55% female), both immediately after recovery and at a 3-month follow-up. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), mode of diffusivity (MO), free water fraction (F), tissue-specific FA (FAt) and tissue-specific MD (MDt) were obtained using DTI data with b=700 and 1400 (DIPY free-water model). Regions of interest in the grey matter and white matter were delineated using FreeSurfer. To assess differences between baseline and follow-up, a paired t-test, the Wilcoxon Test and Friedman Test were performed, corrected for false-discovery rate of 0.05. Effect size (Cohen's d) was also computed (d>0.45 deemed large effect). Results: All three tests revealed decreased F in the hippocampus and decreased MD in the parahippocampal region of the WM at follow-up. In the GM, F was increased in the medial orbitofrontal region. In the WM, MD was increased in the paracentral region and MDt was increased in the parahippocampal and lateral orbitofrontal regions. Conclusions: These results suggest that microstructural abnormalities persist following recovery. Increased extracellular fluid (i.e. F and MD) in the frontal lobe suggest spreading of COVID-19 impact, while decreased F and MD in the hippocampal region suggest debris accumulation as part of the inflammatory process. None of the regions affected in sub-acute COVID-19 appear to fully recover within three months.

Clinically mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion of the corpus callosum in childhood: a single-center experience

Background/aim: Mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) is a rare clinicoradiological syndrome that typically presents with central nervous system symptoms such as loss of consciousness, seizure, headache, and ophthalmoparesis. Materials and methods: Here, we highlight the characteristics of this syndrome together with the clinical and MRI findings of 6 pediatric patients with MERS. Results: Between January 2017 and October 2020, 6 patients with MERS (3 boys and 3 girls) presented to our center. The mean age was 122 ± 54.6 (min-max: 44-180) months. None of the patients had a chronic disease. In our study, infectious agents were detected in 4 patients (66.6%), while noninfectious causes (one seizure and the other hyponatremia) were detected in two patients. All of our cases were discharged without any sequelae after an average of 12.1 ± 7 (min–max: 4–20) days of hospitalization. In 1 patient (case 6), control MRI could not be performed, and the radiological recovery of our other patients was shown to be between 14 days and 2 months. Conclusion: MERS is an acute encephalopathy with good prognosis and should be considered by neurologists in differential diagnosis due to its variable clinical presentation and specific MRI findings.

Portable MRI for the Neurosurgical ICU

INTRODUCTION: Neuroimaging in the intensive care unit (ICU) may be difficult to acquire given the safety concerns and challenges involved in moving critically ill patients. We report on the safety and clinical findings of a portable magnetic resonance imager (MRI) in a cohort of ICU patients who had Covid 19 with suspected neurologic injury. METHODS: This is a prospective, non-randomized, observational study at one institution utilizing portable MRI in patients with laboratory confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, known as Covid-19. Patients selected for imaging had any of the following: 1) unexplained encephalopathy or coma, 2) seizures, 3) focal neurologic deficit, and 4) abnormal head CT. Imaging was performed in each patient's ICU room with a portable, selfshielding, 0.064 Tesla (T) MRI. RESULTS: Among 19 patients, a total of 20 MRI scans in seven ICUs were acquired between April 13 and April 23, 2020. No adverse events to patients or staff from MRI acquisition were reported. In 12 patients, abnormal findings were seen, which included increased fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) signal (n = 12), hemorrhage (n = 3), and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) positivity (n = 3). Imaging led to a change in clinical management in five patients, including 3 lumbar punctures, a resumption of anticoagulation therapy, and one previously unplanned move to palliative care. CONCLUSION: This study provides the first report on the use of a novel, portable, self-shielding MRI to image patients. In critically ill patients, the use of portable MRI is safe, feasible, and leads to changes in clinical management. This technique can be applied to any ICU patients whose care requires imaging of the brain.

Decompressive hemicraniectomy for acute ischemic stroke: A neurosurgical view in a pandemic COVID-19 time highlights of literature.

Background and purpose: The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which was identified after the outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, has kept the whole world in tenterhooks due to its severe life-threatening nature of the infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 a pandemic in 2020, an unprecedented challenge, having a high contagious life-threatening condition with unprecedented impacts for worldwide societies and health care systems. Neurologic symptoms related to SARS-CoV-2 have been described recently in the literature, and acute cerebrovascular disease is one of the most serious complications. The occurrence of large-vessel occlusion in young patients with COVID-19 infection has been exceedingly rare. In this article, we describe the profile of patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy for the treatment of intracranial hypertension by stroke associated with COVID-19 published so far. A narrative review of the central issue in focus was designed: decompressive craniectomy in a pandemic time.

Non convulsive status epilepticus as ongoing symptom of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)

Introduction: Since April 2020, Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has been reported worldwide and associated with a different spectrum of symptoms. Although mild neurological manifestations in SARS-Cov2 infection and MIS-C have been reported, severe involvement with brain abnormalities, is rare 1. Objectives: Describe a child with MIS-C presenting non-convulsive status epilepticus associated with abnormal cerebral magnetic resonance (MR), never previously reported. Methods: Case report. Results: A previously healthy 19-month-old girl presented to our emergency department after a prolonged febrile seizure involving the right side of her body lasting about 25 minutes. She presented with fever lasting more than 24 hours. On physical examination, abdominal distention and tenderness and altered mental status with irritability were detected. RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 on nasal swab was negative but her parents had SARS-CoV-2 infection four weeks earlier. Laboratory showed elevated CRP (35 mg/L), while all microbiological analyses in blood, urine and CSF were negative. Computerized tomography (TC) showed a doubtful left temporal hypointensity, and cerebral MRI displayed cytotoxic oedema in left temporal mesial area of the brain on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Few day later, her clinical conditions worsened with irritability and drowsiness associated with persistent abdominal distention, diarrhoea, and high fever. The EEG revealed a pattern suggestive for non-convulsive status epilepticus responsive to benzodiazepines and loading dose of Levetiracetam. Consensually, an increase of inflammatory markers (CRP 153 mg/L, procalcitonin 114 ug/L) was observed. Chest X-ray, EKG, troponin and BNP levels were normal, whereas echocardiogram demonstrated left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and mild pericardial effusion. In the suspicion of MIS-C with abdominal, cardiac and neurological involvement, she was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (2g/kg), methylprednisolone (2 mg/kg) and acetylsalicylic acid (5mg/kg). Serum SARS-Cov2 antibody test resulted positive for previous infection, confirming the diagnosis of MIS-C. Neuronal antibodies for immune-mediated CNS disorders tested negative. Within 36 hours from therapy start, a significant improvement in general conditions, along with stable apyrexia and decreasing in inflammatory markers were observed. She was discharged two weeks later on oral steroids, ASA and Levetiracetam;the physical examination was normal, and EEG showed a global improvement in brain electrical activity. Conclusion: Neurological symptoms secondary to SARS-Cov2 infection and MIS-C have been reported in children (1) but only a few present severe neurological complications such as status epilepticus. Non-convulsive status epilepticus has been previously described in an adult with acute COVID192 but has never been reported as presenting sign of MIS-C. The current case illustrates the need of a careful neurological evaluation in children with MIS-C, as CNS involvement can represent the main clinical presentation thus underlining the need of an appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

COVID-19-associated encephalopathy: Neurological manifestation of COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral disease, also known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, was first reported in Wuhan, China, December 2019. Respiratory manifestations from the induced acute lung injury were the most common reported findings. Few cases showed extrapulmonary manifestations. COVID-19-associated neurological manifestations have not been widely reported. In this report, we describe a case of encephalopathy in a patient with COVID-19 infection.