COVID-19-associated myelitis: Difference between revisions

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==Classification==
==Classification==


* There is no established system for the classification of [[COVID-19]]-associated [[myelitis]].
* There is no established system for the classification of COVID-19-associated myelitis.


==Pathophysiology==
==Pathophysiology==
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==Differentiating COVID-19-associated myelitis from other Diseases==
==Differentiating COVID-19-associated myelitis from other Diseases==
Transverse myelitis must be differentiated from other diseases that may cause [[hypotonia]], [[muscle weakness]], or [[paralysis]]:<ref name="pmid29433111">{{cite journal |vauthors=Kira R |title=[Acute Flaccid Myelitis] |language=Japanese |journal=Brain Nerve |volume=70 |issue=2 |pages=99–112 |date=February 2018 |pmid=29433111 |doi=10.11477/mf.1416200962 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid29433111">{{cite journal |vauthors=Kira R |title=[Acute Flaccid Myelitis] |language=Japanese |journal=Brain Nerve |volume=70 |issue=2 |pages=99–112 |date=February 2018 |pmid=29433111 |doi=10.11477/mf.1416200962 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid29181601">{{cite journal |vauthors=Hopkins SE |title=Acute Flaccid Myelitis: Etiologic Challenges, Diagnostic and Management Considerations |journal=Curr Treat Options Neurol |volume=19 |issue=12 |pages=48 |date=November 2017 |pmid=29181601 |doi=10.1007/s11940-017-0480-3 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid27422805">{{cite journal |vauthors=Messacar K, Schreiner TL, Van Haren K, Yang M, Glaser CA, Tyler KL, Dominguez SR |title=Acute flaccid myelitis: A clinical review of US cases 2012-2015 |journal=Ann. Neurol. |volume=80 |issue=3 |pages=326–38 |date=September 2016 |pmid=27422805 |pmc=5098271 |doi=10.1002/ana.24730 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid29028962">{{cite journal |vauthors=Chong PF, Kira R, Mori H, Okumura A, Torisu H, Yasumoto S, Shimizu H, Fujimoto T, Hanaoka N, Kusunoki S, Takahashi T, Oishi K, Tanaka-Taya K |title=Clinical Features of Acute Flaccid Myelitis Temporally Associated With an Enterovirus D68 Outbreak: Results of a Nationwide Survey of Acute Flaccid Paralysis in Japan, August-December 2015 |journal=Clin. Infect. Dis. |volume=66 |issue=5 |pages=653–664 |date=February 2018 |pmid=29028962 |pmc=5850449 |doi=10.1093/cid/cix860 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid29482893">{{cite journal |vauthors=Messacar K, Asturias EJ, Hixon AM, Van Leer-Buter C, Niesters HGM, Tyler KL, Abzug MJ, Dominguez SR |title=Enterovirus D68 and acute flaccid myelitis-evaluating the evidence for causality |journal=Lancet Infect Dis |volume=18 |issue=8 |pages=e239–e247 |date=August 2018 |pmid=29482893 |doi=10.1016/S1473-3099(18)30094-X |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid30200066">{{cite journal |vauthors=Chen IJ, Hu SC, Hung KL, Lo CW |title=Acute flaccid myelitis associated with enterovirus D68 infection: A case report |journal=Medicine (Baltimore) |volume=97 |issue=36 |pages=e11831 |date=September 2018 |pmid=30200066 |pmc=6133480 |doi=10.1097/MD.0000000000011831 |url=}}</ref><ref name="urlBotulism | Botulism | CDC">{{cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/index.html |title=Botulism &#124; Botulism &#124; CDC |format= |work= |accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="pmid3290234">{{cite journal |vauthors=McCroskey LM, Hatheway CL |title=Laboratory findings in four cases of adult botulism suggest colonization of the intestinal tract |journal=J. Clin. Microbiol. |volume=26 |issue=5 |pages=1052–4 |date=May 1988 |pmid=3290234 |pmc=266519 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid16614251">{{cite journal |vauthors=Lindström M, Korkeala H |title=Laboratory diagnostics of botulism |journal=Clin. Microbiol. Rev. |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=298–314 |date=April 2006 |pmid=16614251 |pmc=1471988 |doi=10.1128/CMR.19.2.298-314.2006 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid17224901">{{cite journal |vauthors=Brook I |title=Botulism: the challenge of diagnosis and treatment |journal=Rev Neurol Dis |volume=3 |issue=4 |pages=182–9 |date=2006 |pmid=17224901 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid23642721">{{cite journal |vauthors=Dimachkie MM, Barohn RJ |title=Guillain-Barré syndrome and variants |journal=Neurol Clin |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=491–510 |date=May 2013 |pmid=23642721 |pmc=3939842 |doi=10.1016/j.ncl.2013.01.005 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid23418763">{{cite journal |vauthors=Walling AD, Dickson G |title=Guillain-Barré syndrome |journal=Am Fam Physician |volume=87 |issue=3 |pages=191–7 |date=February 2013 |pmid=23418763 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid21969911">{{cite journal |vauthors=Gilhus NE |title=Lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome; pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy |journal=Autoimmune Dis |volume=2011 |issue= |pages=973808 |date=2011 |pmid=21969911 |pmc=3182560 |doi=10.4061/2011/973808 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid14977560">{{cite journal |vauthors=Krishnan C, Kaplin AI, Deshpande DM, Pardo CA, Kerr DA |title=Transverse Myelitis: pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment |journal=Front. Biosci. |volume=9 |issue= |pages=1483–99 |date=May 2004 |pmid=14977560 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid24305450">{{cite journal |vauthors=Amato AA, Greenberg SA |title=Inflammatory myopathies |journal=Continuum (Minneap Minn) |volume=19 |issue=6 Muscle Disease |pages=1615–33 |date=December 2013 |pmid=24305450 |doi=10.1212/01.CON.0000440662.26427.bd |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid24365430">{{cite journal |vauthors=Berger JR, Dean D |title=Neurosyphilis |journal=Handb Clin Neurol |volume=121 |issue= |pages=1461–72 |date=2014 |pmid=24365430 |doi=10.1016/B978-0-7020-4088-7.00098-5 |url=}}</ref>
COVID-19-associated myelitis must be differentiated from other diseases that may cause [[hypotonia]], [[muscle weakness]], or [[paralysis]]:<ref name="pmid29433111">{{cite journal |vauthors=Kira R |title=[Acute Flaccid Myelitis] |language=Japanese |journal=Brain Nerve |volume=70 |issue=2 |pages=99–112 |date=February 2018 |pmid=29433111 |doi=10.11477/mf.1416200962 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid29433111">{{cite journal |vauthors=Kira R |title=[Acute Flaccid Myelitis] |language=Japanese |journal=Brain Nerve |volume=70 |issue=2 |pages=99–112 |date=February 2018 |pmid=29433111 |doi=10.11477/mf.1416200962 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid29181601">{{cite journal |vauthors=Hopkins SE |title=Acute Flaccid Myelitis: Etiologic Challenges, Diagnostic and Management Considerations |journal=Curr Treat Options Neurol |volume=19 |issue=12 |pages=48 |date=November 2017 |pmid=29181601 |doi=10.1007/s11940-017-0480-3 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid27422805">{{cite journal |vauthors=Messacar K, Schreiner TL, Van Haren K, Yang M, Glaser CA, Tyler KL, Dominguez SR |title=Acute flaccid myelitis: A clinical review of US cases 2012-2015 |journal=Ann. Neurol. |volume=80 |issue=3 |pages=326–38 |date=September 2016 |pmid=27422805 |pmc=5098271 |doi=10.1002/ana.24730 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid29028962">{{cite journal |vauthors=Chong PF, Kira R, Mori H, Okumura A, Torisu H, Yasumoto S, Shimizu H, Fujimoto T, Hanaoka N, Kusunoki S, Takahashi T, Oishi K, Tanaka-Taya K |title=Clinical Features of Acute Flaccid Myelitis Temporally Associated With an Enterovirus D68 Outbreak: Results of a Nationwide Survey of Acute Flaccid Paralysis in Japan, August-December 2015 |journal=Clin. Infect. Dis. |volume=66 |issue=5 |pages=653–664 |date=February 2018 |pmid=29028962 |pmc=5850449 |doi=10.1093/cid/cix860 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid29482893">{{cite journal |vauthors=Messacar K, Asturias EJ, Hixon AM, Van Leer-Buter C, Niesters HGM, Tyler KL, Abzug MJ, Dominguez SR |title=Enterovirus D68 and acute flaccid myelitis-evaluating the evidence for causality |journal=Lancet Infect Dis |volume=18 |issue=8 |pages=e239–e247 |date=August 2018 |pmid=29482893 |doi=10.1016/S1473-3099(18)30094-X |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid30200066">{{cite journal |vauthors=Chen IJ, Hu SC, Hung KL, Lo CW |title=Acute flaccid myelitis associated with enterovirus D68 infection: A case report |journal=Medicine (Baltimore) |volume=97 |issue=36 |pages=e11831 |date=September 2018 |pmid=30200066 |pmc=6133480 |doi=10.1097/MD.0000000000011831 |url=}}</ref><ref name="urlBotulism | Botulism | CDC">{{cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/botulism/index.html |title=Botulism &#124; Botulism &#124; CDC |format= |work= |accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="pmid3290234">{{cite journal |vauthors=McCroskey LM, Hatheway CL |title=Laboratory findings in four cases of adult botulism suggest colonization of the intestinal tract |journal=J. Clin. Microbiol. |volume=26 |issue=5 |pages=1052–4 |date=May 1988 |pmid=3290234 |pmc=266519 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid16614251">{{cite journal |vauthors=Lindström M, Korkeala H |title=Laboratory diagnostics of botulism |journal=Clin. Microbiol. Rev. |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=298–314 |date=April 2006 |pmid=16614251 |pmc=1471988 |doi=10.1128/CMR.19.2.298-314.2006 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid17224901">{{cite journal |vauthors=Brook I |title=Botulism: the challenge of diagnosis and treatment |journal=Rev Neurol Dis |volume=3 |issue=4 |pages=182–9 |date=2006 |pmid=17224901 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid23642721">{{cite journal |vauthors=Dimachkie MM, Barohn RJ |title=Guillain-Barré syndrome and variants |journal=Neurol Clin |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=491–510 |date=May 2013 |pmid=23642721 |pmc=3939842 |doi=10.1016/j.ncl.2013.01.005 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid23418763">{{cite journal |vauthors=Walling AD, Dickson G |title=Guillain-Barré syndrome |journal=Am Fam Physician |volume=87 |issue=3 |pages=191–7 |date=February 2013 |pmid=23418763 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid21969911">{{cite journal |vauthors=Gilhus NE |title=Lambert-eaton myasthenic syndrome; pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy |journal=Autoimmune Dis |volume=2011 |issue= |pages=973808 |date=2011 |pmid=21969911 |pmc=3182560 |doi=10.4061/2011/973808 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid14977560">{{cite journal |vauthors=Krishnan C, Kaplin AI, Deshpande DM, Pardo CA, Kerr DA |title=Transverse Myelitis: pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment |journal=Front. Biosci. |volume=9 |issue= |pages=1483–99 |date=May 2004 |pmid=14977560 |doi= |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid24305450">{{cite journal |vauthors=Amato AA, Greenberg SA |title=Inflammatory myopathies |journal=Continuum (Minneap Minn) |volume=19 |issue=6 Muscle Disease |pages=1615–33 |date=December 2013 |pmid=24305450 |doi=10.1212/01.CON.0000440662.26427.bd |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid24365430">{{cite journal |vauthors=Berger JR, Dean D |title=Neurosyphilis |journal=Handb Clin Neurol |volume=121 |issue= |pages=1461–72 |date=2014 |pmid=24365430 |doi=10.1016/B978-0-7020-4088-7.00098-5 |url=}}</ref>
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[[Myelitis]] can be associated with a number of diseases and hence should be differentiated from [[COVID-19]]-associated [[myelitis]].<ref name="pmid417631">{{cite journal| author=Lampert PW| title=Autoimmune and virus-induced demyelinating diseases. A review. | journal=Am J Pathol | year= 1978 | volume= 91 | issue= 1 | pages= 176-208 | pmid=417631 | doi= | pmc=2018174 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=417631  }} </ref>Moreover, a number of acute clinical conditions can mimic myelitis. These acute conditions include spinal trauma, disc disease/herniation, vascular infarction or hemorrhage. <ref name="pmid22927022">{{cite journal |vauthors=Mihai C, Jubelt B |title=Infectious myelitis |journal=Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep |volume=12 |issue=6 |pages=633–41 |date=December 2012 |pmid=22927022 |doi=10.1007/s11910-012-0306-3 |url=}}</ref>
===Infectious Myelitis===
*Myelitis can be caused by viruses other than [[SARS-CoV]], bacteria, fungi and parasites. Serological tests and [[serum]]/[[CSF]] cultures, and sometimes urine and feces testing can reveal the causative infectious agent. <ref name="pmid22927022">{{cite journal |vauthors=Mihai C, Jubelt B |title=Infectious myelitis |journal=Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep |volume=12 |issue=6 |pages=633–41 |date=December 2012 |pmid=22927022 |doi=10.1007/s11910-012-0306-3 |url=}}</ref>
===Multiple sclerosis===
*The [[immune]] system destroys myelin surrounding nerves in your [[spinal cord]] and [[brain]]. [[Transverse myelitis]] can be the first sign of [[multiple sclerosis]] or represent a relapse. [[Transverse myelitis]] as a sign of [[multiple sclerosis]] usually causes symptoms on only one side of your [[body]]. [[Neuromyelitis optica]] ([[Devic's disease]]) is a condition that causes [[inflammation]] and [[myelin]] loss around the [[spinal cord]] and the [[nerve]] in your eye that transmits information to your [[brain]]. [[Transverse myelitis]] associated with [[neuromyelitis]] optica usually affects both sides of your [[body]].
===Transverse myelitis===
* [[Transverse myelitis]] experience symptoms of damage to [[myelin]] of the [[optic nerve]], including [[pain]] in the [[eye]] with [[movement]] and temporary [[vision loss]]. This can happen with or separately from [[transverse myelitis]] symptoms. However, some people with [[neuromyelitis optica]] don't experience eye-related problems and might have only recurrent episodes of [[transverse myelitis]].
===Autoimmune disorders===
* These disorders include [[SLE]], which can affect multiple body systems, and [[Sjogren's syndrome]], which causes [[severe]] [[dryness]] of the [[mouth]] and [[eyes]].
===Vaccinations===
* [[Vaccination]] for [[infectious]] diseases have occasionally been associated as a possible trigger. However, at this time the association is not strong enough to warrant limiting any vaccine.
===Sarcoidosis===
* [[Sarcoidosis]] is a condition that leads to [[inflammation]] in many areas of the [[body]], including the [[spinal cord]] and [[optic nerve]]. It may mimic neuromyelitis optica, but typically sarcoidosis symptoms develop more slowly. The cause of sarcoidosis isn't understood.


To view the differential diagnosis of COVID-19, [[COVID-19 differential diagnosis|click here]].<br />
To view the differential diagnosis of COVID-19, [[COVID-19 differential diagnosis|click here]].<br />

Revision as of 14:41, 14 July 2020

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Syed Musadiq Ali M.B.B.S.[2] Tayebah Chaudhry[3]

Synonyms and keywords:

Overview

In the current pandemic state, COVID-19 should be considered as a differential diagnosis in a patient presenting with acute myelitis. Acute Transverse Myelitis is a neurological condition characterized by inflammation and injury of the spinal cord. In a confirmed or newly diagnosed patient of COVID-19, it is thought to be either a direct consequence of viral infection or a sequalae of autoimmune-mediated response. COVID-19-associated myelitis is diagnosed based on the hallmark symptoms of acute myelitis and confirmed with changes on spinal MRI, after ruling out other possible etiologies of myelitis. The symptoms show marked improvement after treatment with steroids and plasma exchange.

Historical Perspective

  • First case of acute myelitis as a COVID-19 complication was reported in February 2020 in Wuhan by Kang Zhao et al, in a 66 year old male patient. [1]
  • The second case was reported in Boston by Sarma et al in a 28 year old female patient who developed acute myelitis 7 days after symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection. [2]
  • As of now, only few case reports have been published in literature showing an association of COVID-19 with acute myelitis as a neurological complication.

Classification

  • There is no established system for the classification of COVID-19-associated myelitis.

Pathophysiology

Causes

Apart from COVID-19 other causes of viral myelitis include[7]:

Other causes of myelitis are:

Differentiating COVID-19-associated myelitis from other Diseases

COVID-19-associated myelitis must be differentiated from other diseases that may cause hypotonia, muscle weakness, or paralysis:[8][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]

Diseases History and Physical Diagnostic tests Other Findings
Motor Deficit Sensory deficit Cranial nerve Involvement Autonomic dysfunction Proximal/Distal/Generalized Ascending/Descending/Systemic Unilateral (UL)

or Bilateral (BL)

or

No Lateralization (NL)

Onset Lab or Imaging Findings Specific test
Transverse myelitis + + + + Proximal > Distal Systemic BL or UL Sudden MRI & Lumbar puncture MRI History of chronic viral or autoimmune disease (e.g. HIV)
Adult Botulism + - + + Generalized Descending BL Sudden Toxin test Blood, Wound, or Stool culture Diplopia, Hyporeflexia, Hypotonia, possible respiratory paralysis
Infant Botulism + - + + Generalized Descending BL Sudden Toxin test Blood, Wound, or Stool culture Flaccid paralysis (Floppy baby syndrome), possible respiratory paralysis
Guillian-Barre syndrome[24] + - - - Generalized Ascending BL Insidious CSF: ↑Protein

↓Cells

Clinical & Lumbar Puncture Progressive ascending paralysis following infection, possible respiratory paralysis
Eaton Lambert syndrome[25] + - + + Generalized Systemic BL Intermittent EMG, repetitive nerve stimulation test (RNS) Voltage gated calcium channel (VGCC) antibody Diplopia, ptosis, improves with movement (as the day progresses)
Myasthenia gravis[26] + - + + Generalized Systemic BL Intermittent EMG, Edrophonium test Ach receptor antibody Diplopia, ptosis, worsening with movement (as the day progresses)
Electrolyte disturbance[27] + + - - Generalized Systemic BL Insidious Electrolyte panel ↓Ca++, ↓Mg++, ↓K+ Possible arrhythmia
Organophosphate toxicity[28] + + - + Generalized Ascending BL Sudden Clinical diagnosis: physical exam & history Clinical suspicion confirmed with RBC AchE activity History of exposure to insecticide or living in farming environment. with : Diarrhea, Urination, Miosis, Bradycardia, Lacrimation, Emesis, Salivation, Sweating
Tick paralysis (Dermacentor tick)[29] + - - - Generalized Ascending BL Insidious Clinical diagnosis: physical exam & history - History of outdoor activity in Northeastern United States. The tick is often still latched to the patient at presentation (often in head and neck area)
Tetrodotoxin poisoning[30] + - + + Generalized Systemic BL Sudden Clinical diagnosis: physical exam & dietary history - History of consumption of puffer fish species.
Stroke[31] +/- +/- +/- +/- Generalized Systemic UL Sudden MRI +ve for ischemia or hemorrhage MRI Sudden unilateral motor and sensory deficit in a patient with a history of atherosclerotic risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, smoking) or atrial fibrillation.
Poliomyelitis[32] + + + +/- Proximal > Distal Systemic BL or UL Sudden PCR of CSF Asymmetric paralysis following a flu-like syndrome.
Neurosyphilis[33][23] + + - +/- Generalized Systemic BL Insidious MRI & Lumbar puncture CSF VDRL-specifc

CSF FTA-Ab -sensitive[34]

History of unprotected sex or multiple sexual partners.

History of genital ulcer (chancre), diffuse maculopapular rash.

Muscular dystrophy[35] + - - - Proximal > Distal Systemic BL Insidious Genetic testing Muscle biopsy Progressive proximal lower limb weakness with calf pseudohypertrophy in early childhood. Gower sign positive.
Multiple sclerosis exacerbation[36] + + + + Generalized Systemic NL Sudden ↑CSF IgG levels

(monoclonal)

Clinical assessment and MRI [37] Blurry vision, urinary incontinence, fatigue
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis[38] + - - - Generalized Systemic BL Insidious Normal LP (to rule out DDx) MRI & LP Patient initially presents with upper motor neuron deficit (spasticity) followed by lower motor neuron deficit (flaccidity).
Inflammatory myopathy[39] + - - - Proximal > Distal Systemic UL or BL Insidious Elevated CK & Aldolase Muscle biopsy Progressive proximal muscle weakness in 3rd to 5th decade of life. With or without skin manifestations.

To view the differential diagnosis of COVID-19, click here.

Epidemiology and Demographics

  • As of now, the incidence of acute myelitis associated with Covid-19 infection in unknown. [40][41]
  • To view epidemiology and demographics for COVID-19, click here.

Risk Factors

  • There are no established risk factors for COVID-19-associated myelitis. However, since this condition is a direct consequence of infection by the novel coronavirus, risk factors for COVID-19 should be considered.
  • To view the risk factors of COVID-19, click here.

Screening

  • Screening for COVID-19-associated myelitis is not currently done.
  • To view screening for COVID-19, click here.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis

Natural History

  • Myelitis associated with COVID-19 is an acute condition. The first case of COVID-19 associated myelitis developed the symptoms 5 days after the onset of fever. [1]The second case developed symptoms of myelitis 7 days after the upper respiratory symptoms. [2]

Complications

  • Lack of prompt recognition and management may result in lasting neurological complications (such as residual loss of sensation in lower extremities) after novel corona virus infection. [2]

Prognosis

  • Exact prognosis of COVID-19-associated myelitis is not known.
  • Marked improvement in symptoms is seen with steroids and plasma exchange.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

  • Diagnosis of COVID-19-associated myelitis is based on the hallmark symptoms of acute myelitis in a known case of COVID-19 or a positive PCR nasal swab for COVID-19 in a new patient. And classic contrast-enhancing lesions on MRI spine.
  • Hallmark symptoms of acute myelitis include bilateral symmetric weakness and sensory changes in extremities, urinary retention and lower back pain.
  • Absence of visual symptoms such as eye pain or vision loss ( classically seen in Multiple Sclerosis or Neuromyelitis optica), negative immunoglobulin G auto-antibodies or oligoclonal bands, negative anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) test (very sensitive test for autoimmune diseases such as lupus), absence of other system involvement (such as skin rash, nodules, cardiac arrhythmias or arthritis seen in lupus or sarcoidosis) rule out other possible etiologies. [40]

History and Symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19-associated myelitis include:

Physical Examination

Vitals:

Abnormal vitals can be seen due to COVID-19 association. These include:

Abdominal exam:

Neurological exam:

Neurological findings are symmetric and more severe in lower extremities. [1] [2] [40]

Laboratory Findings

Nasal swab:

Other Viral Screening:

MRI spine:

  • MRI findings consistent with Acute Transverse Myelitis (involving more than three spinal cord segments) are seen. This includes widespread elongated signal changes throughout the gray matter of spinal cord, with no disc pathology or spinal canal narrowing. [2]

Urinary retention:

Lumbar Puncture (LP):

To view the laboratory findings on COVID-19, click here

Electrocardiogram

  • There are no ECG findings associated with COVID-19-associated myelitis.
  • To view the electrocardiogram findings on COVID-19, click here.

X-ray

  • Chest X-ray may or may not show opacities in lungs depending on the degree of lung damage caused by COVID-19.
  • To view the x-ray finidings on COVID-19, click here.

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

CT scan

  • CT scan exclude other causes that can cause myelitis.
  • To view the CT scan findings on COVID-19, click here.

MRI

Treatment

Medical Therapy

  • Oxygen inhalation treatment with high-flow nasal catheters.
  • Ganciclovir ( 0.5g once daily) for 14 days, Lopinavir/ritonavir (500mg twice daily) for 5 days. "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Treatment Guidelines".
  • Moxifloxacin (400mg once daily) for 6 days.(Treatment with arbidol and moxifloxacin could be helpful in reducing viral load and inflammation during SARS-CoV2 infection, especially for negatively regulating fatal inflammation in severe COVID-19 patients)[44].
  • Glutathione (1.8g once daily) for 14 days. (Glutathione inhibits replication of various viruses at different stages of the viral life cycle and decreasing viral load. It also prevents the massive release of inflammatory cells into the lung “cytokine storm”)[45].
  • Dexamethasone (10mg once daily) for 10 days[46]. (NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel recommends using dexamethasone (at a dose of 6 mg per day for up to 10 days) in patients with COVID-19 who are mechanically ventilated and in patients with COVID-19 who require supplemental oxygen but who are not mechanically ventilated. And recommends against using dexamethasone in patients with COVID-19 who do not require supplemental oxygen.
  • Human immunoglobulin (15g once daily) for 7 days.
  • Pantoprazole (80mg once daily) for 10 days.
  • Mecobalamin (1000ug once daily) for 14days.[47] (Vitamin B12 may inhibit RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase activity of nsp12 protein from the COVID-19 Virus).
  • Plasma exchange.
  • Foley's catheter to relieve urinary retention

Surgery

  • Surgical intervention is not recommended for the management of COVID-19-associated myelitis.

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "www.medrxiv.org" (PDF).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 "A Case Report of Acute Transverse Myelitis Following Novel Coronavirus Infection".
  3. ↑ Manji H, Carr AS, Brownlee WJ, Lunn MP (2020). "Neurology in the time of COVID-19". J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 91 (6): 568–570. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2020-323414. PMID 32312872 Check |pmid= value (help).
  4. ↑ Wan Y, Shang J, Graham R, Baric RS, Li F (2020). "Receptor Recognition by the Novel Coronavirus from Wuhan: an Analysis Based on Decade-Long Structural Studies of SARS Coronavirus". J Virol. 94 (7). doi:10.1128/JVI.00127-20. PMC 7081895 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 31996437.
  5. ↑ Baig AM (2020). "Neurological manifestations in COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2". CNS Neurosci Ther. 26 (5): 499–501. doi:10.1111/cns.13372. PMC 7163592 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 32266761 Check |pmid= value (help).
  6. ↑ Pastor Bandeira, Isabelle; Machado Schlindwein, Marco Antônio; Breis, Leticia Caroline; Schatzmann Peron, Jean Pierre; Magno Gonçalves, Marcus Vinicius (2020). doi:10.20944/preprints202004.0304.v1. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ↑ Pekcevik Y, Mitchell CH, Mealy MA, Orman G, Lee IH, Newsome SD; et al. (2016). "Differentiating neuromyelitis optica from other causes of longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis on spinal magnetic resonance imaging". Mult Scler. 22 (3): 302–11. doi:10.1177/1352458515591069. PMC 4797654. PMID 26209588.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Kira R (February 2018). "[Acute Flaccid Myelitis]". Brain Nerve (in Japanese). 70 (2): 99–112. doi:10.11477/mf.1416200962. PMID 29433111.
  9. ↑ Hopkins SE (November 2017). "Acute Flaccid Myelitis: Etiologic Challenges, Diagnostic and Management Considerations". Curr Treat Options Neurol. 19 (12): 48. doi:10.1007/s11940-017-0480-3. PMID 29181601.
  10. ↑ Messacar K, Schreiner TL, Van Haren K, Yang M, Glaser CA, Tyler KL, Dominguez SR (September 2016). "Acute flaccid myelitis: A clinical review of US cases 2012-2015". Ann. Neurol. 80 (3): 326–38. doi:10.1002/ana.24730. PMC 5098271. PMID 27422805.
  11. ↑ Chong PF, Kira R, Mori H, Okumura A, Torisu H, Yasumoto S, Shimizu H, Fujimoto T, Hanaoka N, Kusunoki S, Takahashi T, Oishi K, Tanaka-Taya K (February 2018). "Clinical Features of Acute Flaccid Myelitis Temporally Associated With an Enterovirus D68 Outbreak: Results of a Nationwide Survey of Acute Flaccid Paralysis in Japan, August-December 2015". Clin. Infect. Dis. 66 (5): 653–664. doi:10.1093/cid/cix860. PMC 5850449. PMID 29028962.
  12. ↑ Messacar K, Asturias EJ, Hixon AM, Van Leer-Buter C, Niesters H, Tyler KL, Abzug MJ, Dominguez SR (August 2018). "Enterovirus D68 and acute flaccid myelitis-evaluating the evidence for causality". Lancet Infect Dis. 18 (8): e239–e247. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(18)30094-X. PMID 29482893. Vancouver style error: initials (help)
  13. ↑ Chen IJ, Hu SC, Hung KL, Lo CW (September 2018). "Acute flaccid myelitis associated with enterovirus D68 infection: A case report". Medicine (Baltimore). 97 (36): e11831. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000011831. PMC 6133480. PMID 30200066.
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  35. ↑ Falzarano MS, Scotton C, Passarelli C, Ferlini A (2015). "Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: From Diagnosis to Therapy". Molecules. 20 (10): 18168–84. doi:10.3390/molecules201018168. PMID 26457695.
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  39. ↑ Michelle EH, Mammen AL (2015). "Myositis Mimics". Curr Rheumatol Rep. 17 (10): 63. doi:10.1007/s11926-015-0541-0. PMID 26290112.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 40.3 40.4 40.5 AlKetbi, Reem; AlNuaimi, Dana; AlMulla, Muna; AlTalai, Nouf; Samir, Mohammed; Kumar, Navin (2020). "Acute Myelitis as a Neurological Complication ofCovid-19:A Case Report and MRI Findings". Radiology Case Reports. doi:10.1016/j.radcr.2020.06.001. ISSN 1930-0433.
  41. ↑ Munz M, Wessendorf S, Koretsis G, Tewald F, Baegi R, Krämer S; et al. (2020). "Acute transverse myelitis after COVID-19 pneumonia". J Neurol. doi:10.1007/s00415-020-09934-w. PMC 7250275 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 32458198 Check |pmid= value (help).
  42. ↑ "Acute transverse myelitis after COVID-19 pneumonia".
  43. ↑ Scotti G, Gerevini S (2001). "Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of acute transverse myelopathy. The role of neuroradiological investigations and review of the literature". Neurol Sci. 22 Suppl 2: S69–73. doi:10.1007/s100720100038. PMID 11794482.
  44. ↑ Yu, Dongshan; Sun, Shuilin; Li, Yanhua; Xi, Wenna; Jin, Di; Sun, Ke; Yu, Rongyan; Yao, Xuebing; Song, Zhiying; Yang, Aoyu; Luo, Ruixia; Zou, Biaoshu; Liu, Yun (2020). doi:10.1101/2020.05.30.20117598. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  45. ↑ De Flora, S.; Grassi, C.; Carati, L. (1997). "Attenuation of influenza-like symptomatology and improvement of cell-mediated immunity with long-term N-acetylcysteine treatment". European Respiratory Journal. 10 (7): 1535–1541. doi:10.1183/09031936.97.10071535. ISSN 0000-0000.
  46. ↑ Sotoca, Javier; Rodríguez-Álvarez, Yensa (2020). "COVID-19-associated acute necrotizing myelitis". Neurology - Neuroimmunology Neuroinflammation. 7 (5): e803. doi:10.1212/NXI.0000000000000803. ISSN 2332-7812.
  47. ↑ nair, deepak t; narayanan, naveen. doi:10.35543/osf.io/p48fa. Missing or empty |title= (help)


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