Parsonage-Turner Syndrome after COVID-19 Vaccination

ABSTRACT

Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS) is an inflammatory disorder of the brachial plexus, which typically presents as severe neuropathic pain, followed by rapid multifocal weakness and amyotrophy of the upper limb. Triggering events such as infection, vaccination and trauma have been described. We present the case of a 53-year-old man who developed PTS twelve days after receiving a second dose of the AZD1222 vaccine against COVID19 (Oxford/AstraZeneca), as confirmed by electroneuromyography and MRI of the brachial plexus. As common triggering events were excluded, we consider the AZD1222 vaccine as possible trigger. Even though causality cannot be proven, we present this case of PTS following COVID-19 vaccination to raise awareness amongst caregivers to identify this underrecognized plexopathy timely. We will discuss PTS pathophysiology and the possible link between PTS and COVID19 vaccination.