ABSTRACT
Background: Post-acute sequelae of SARS-COV-2 infection (PASC) is associated with cognitive impairment (CI) with unclear pathogenesis though blood brain barrier (BBB) impairment and excitotoxic injury appear significant. Post-acute sequelae of SARS-COV-2 infection (PASC) is associated with cognitive impairment (CI) with unclear pathogenesis though blood brain barrier (BBB) impairment and excitotoxic injury appear significant. We hypothesized that PASC CI patients would have brain inflammation and BBB disruption using advanced MR imaging. Method(s): In this prospective longitudinal study, 14 patients with PASC CI (mild and non-hospitalised) were enrolled (mean age of 45;10 F and 4 M) and 10 sex and age matched healthy controls. 13 had a follow up MR at 9-12 months (mean 10 months). All participants underwent DCE perfusion (an index of BBB integrity with Ktrans as the measurement), Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and single voxel MR spectroscopy (MRS) of the frontal cortex/white matter and the brainstem in addition to brain anatomical MRI. Between group analyses were used to determine which MRI outcomes were significantly different from controls in patients with PASC CI. Result(s): The PASCI CI group showed significantly increased (ie BBB impairment) Ktrans, and increased region (Frontal white matter and Brain Stem)-specific areas in the brain (p=< 0.005), reduction in NAA (ie neuronal injury) and mild reduction of Glx (ie excitotoxicity) in the frontal white matter and brain stem (p=0.004), and reduction in white matter integrity (increased diffusivity -greater radial and mean diffusivity). Increased Ktrans was correlated with increased both radial and mean diffusivity (r=0.9) in all tested brain regions. Ktrans significantly improved in the follow up MR (p= 002596 Z=-2.794872) with no difference between subjects and controls indicating BBB normalisation (p= 0.442418, z= -0.144841). White matter integrity also improved especially in the fractional anisotropy values in the executive networks (p=< 0.00045). MRS showed significant improvement in the NAA in the frontal white matter but Glx remain high as compared to the controls (p=0.0006). Conclusion(s): PASC CI was characterised by reversible diffuse BBB impairment, neuronal/axonal and excitotoxic injury. BBB impairment was associated with white matter disruption. These are suggestive biomarkers for the presence, severity and prognosis of PASC CI. Such biomarkers could underpin appropriate trial design and timing of intervention.
ABSTRACT
The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causing the recent pandemic outbreak may result in brain injuries. The disease has a high prevalence for thromboembolic complications and a massive release of cytokines. We report a case of CLOCCS, one of the rare neurological complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Teaching Point: The imaging features of the cytotoxic lesion of the corpus callosum (CLOCCS) on magnetic resonance imaging should be known by every radiologist, to make the positive diagnosis and prevent misdiagnosis, especially in the setting of a COVID-19 infection.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Report a COVID-19 related encephalopathy from selective white matter involvement of corpus callosum. Background: A 26-year-old African American female tested positive for SARS - COV 2 in April 2020. Her medical morbidities included uncontrolled type 1 DM (on insulin), obesity, and CKD stage III (diabetic nephropathy). She presented with fever, headache, dyspnea, myalgia, nausea, and loss of appetite. She was tachypneic, tachycardic, hypertensive, had a temperature of 39.2deg;C and saturating 98% at room air. Pertinent lab values included a glucose of 212 mg/dl, creatinine of 2.7 mg/dl, BUN of 34 mg/dl, and lipase 771 IU/L. CRP was 66.9 mg/L, with a normocytic anemia of 7.9 gm/dl, ferritin 1784 ng/ml, fibrinogen of 651 mg/dl and a peak D-dimer of 10,180 ng/ml. CXR was hypoinflated with mild bibasilar airspace opacities. A NCCT head obtained for a stroke alert, revealed a hypodense corpus collosum. She was admitted to the ICU with worsening hypoxia, kidney injury, metabolic acidosis, and alteration of consciousness. She received tocilizumab, steroids, remdesivir and convalescent plasma exchange for a severe COVID-19 infection. After extubation she developed a dysexecutive syndrome. Design/Methods: Case report Results: A contrast enhanced MR brain confirmed an expansile T2 hyperintense signal along the complete length of corpus callosum associated with restriction of diffusion, and T1 prolongation. There was no superimposed susceptibility or pathologic enhancement. No large vessel occlusions were identifiable from gradient echo (GRE), turbo spin echo (TSE), susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) and post contrast MR sequences. A repeat MRI brain post discharge demonstrated an improving leukoencephalopathy by virtue of normalizing ADC values. Conclusions: Like prior coronaviridae, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) affects the brain over a spectrum of injury. Until we clarify direct neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2;this case is supportive of a cytokine mediated excitotoxic injury concomitant with the severity of disease.