Focal Cerebral Vasculitis due to SARS-CoV-2 Infection With a Robust Response to Intravenous Steroids.


Journal

The neurologist
ISSN: 2331-2637
Titre abrégé: Neurologist
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 9503763

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
23 Aug 2023
Historique:
medline: 24 8 2023
pubmed: 24 8 2023
entrez: 23 8 2023
Statut: aheadofprint

Résumé

Severe and less common neurological manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection include acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, central venous sinus thrombosis, and vasculitis. In this report, we present a case of a 42-year-old man with acute ischemic stroke due to SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated central nervous system vasculitis that improved with steroid therapy. A 42-year-old man with SARS-CoV-2 infection presented with non-fluent aphasia and right-sided hemiparesis. Computed tomography angiography revealed an occlusion of the proximal left middle cerebral artery (MCA), with acute infarcts in the left posterior parietal, lentiform nucleus, and cortical frontal cortex on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patient developed pulmonary emboli and was discharged on apixaban and atorvastatin. Four weeks later, the patient presented with recurring symptoms and was found to have worsening left MCA stenosis. MRI and MR angiography revealed a penumbra within the left MCA territory and pruning of the distal branches with severe stenosis. Laboratory workup for autoimmune causes of vasculitis was unrevealing. High-dose intravenous steroid treatment was initiated. Subsequent MRI and MR angiography revealed improved flow in the left cerebral vasculature and no novel ischemic infarcts. Central nervous system vasculitis is a rare manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This case suggests that high-dose intravenous steroids may have a therapeutic role in this patient population. Steroid use, in combination with vasopressor support to augment cerebral blood flow, may prevent further stroke burden.

Identifiants

pubmed: 37611403
doi: 10.1097/NRL.0000000000000525
pii: 00127893-990000000-00094
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Références

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Auteurs

Cleo Zarina Reyes (CZ)

Department of Neurology, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA.

Manny Villar (M)

University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL.

Kathryn Cheponis (K)

Department of Neurology, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA.

Hussam A Yacoub (HA)

Department of Neurology, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA.

Classifications MeSH