COVID-19-associated myelitis
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 and is thought to be either a direct consequence of viral infection or a sequalae of autoimmune-mediated response to the novel coronavirus.
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, 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
- The pathogenesis of the disease behind this manifestation is not fully understood yet.
- There is a strong evidence suggesting that COVID-19 virus uses angiotensin-converting enzyme2 (ACE2) as its receptor to interact with host cells.
- This evidence is based on the previous extensive SARS-CoV structural analyses that showed interactions between the SARS-CoV virus and ACE2 receptors and because of the marked sequence similarities between Covid-19 and the SARS-CoV virus it is hypothesized that COVID 19 virus pathogenesis is comparable.
- The ACE2 receptors are expressed on alveolar epithelial cells, intestinal enterocytes and arterial and venous endothelial cells.
- The brain only the vascular cells were expressing ACE2 as a cell receptor not the neurons; yet this could be a potential mechanism for dissemination of the virus into the brain by the blood circulation.
- It is also hypothesized that the virus can disseminate into the nervous system through the olfactory bulb in which sensory neurons connect the nasal cavity to the central nervous system by the axons, which terminate in the olfactory bulb and passes through the cribriform plate.
- This route must be taken into consideration in cases of early‐phase COVID‐19‐affected patients who exhibit loss of smell and taste.
- Furthermore, in advanced stages of the disease the neurological signs and symptoms observed in the COVID‐19 cases could be due to the effects of hypoxia, respiratory, and metabolic acidosis
Causes
- Apart from Covid associated Myelitis other Viruses associated with myelitis are:
- Herpes viruses, including the one that causes shingles and chickenpox (zoster)
- Cytomegalovirus
- Epstein-Barr
- HIV
- Enteroviruses such as poliovirus and coxsackievirus
- West Nile
- Echovirus
- Zika
- Influenza
- Hepatitis B
- Mumps, measles and rubella
Differentiating COVID-19-associated myelitis from other Diseases
- There are a number of conditions that appear to cause the disorder:
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 lupus, 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.
Epidemiology and Demographics
As of now, the incidence of acute myelitis associated with Covid-19 infection in unknown. [3]
Risk Factors
There are no established risk factors for [disease name].
OR
The most potent risk factor in the development of [disease name] is [risk factor 1]. Other risk factors include [risk factor 2], [risk factor 3], and [risk factor 4].
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Common risk factors in the development of [disease name] include [risk factor 1], [risk factor 2], [risk factor 3], and [risk factor 4].
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Common risk factors in the development of [disease name] may be occupational, environmental, genetic, and viral.
Screening
There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for [disease/malignancy].
OR
According to the [guideline name], screening for [disease name] is not recommended.
OR
According to the [guideline name], screening for [disease name] by [test 1] is recommended every [duration] among patients with [condition 1], [condition 2], and [condition 3].
Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis
If left untreated, [#]% of patients with [disease name] may progress to develop [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
OR
Common complications of [disease name] include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
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Prognosis is generally excellent/good/poor, and the 1/5/10-year mortality/survival rate of patients with [disease name] is approximately [#]%.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
The diagnosis of [disease name] is made when at least [number] of the following [number] diagnostic criteria are met: [criterion 1], [criterion 2], [criterion 3], and [criterion 4].
OR
The diagnosis of [disease name] is based on the [criteria name] criteria, which include [criterion 1], [criterion 2], and [criterion 3].
OR
The diagnosis of [disease name] is based on the [definition name] definition, which includes [criterion 1], [criterion 2], and [criterion 3].
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There are no established criteria for the diagnosis of [disease name].
History and Symptoms
Symptoms of COVID-19-associated myelitis include:
- Urinary retention [3]
- Lower back pain [4]
- Weakness in lower extremities [3]
- Paresthesias in lower extremities with possible ascension to upper extremities [5]
- Numbness in lower extremities with possible ascension to upper extremities [6]
- Numbness in tip of tongue [7]
Physical Examination
Vitals:
Abnormal vitals can be seen due to COVID-19 association. These include:
- Decreased O2 saturation
- Tachycardia
- Tachypnea
Abdominal exam:
- Palpable distended urinary bladder
Neurological exam:
Neurological findings are more severe in lower extremities.
- Wide based gait
- Decreased muscle strength
- Decreased sensation
- Decreased proprioception
- Hyporeflexia
- Paresthesias
- Positive Lhermitte's sign
Laboratory Findings
Nasal swab:
PCR nasal swab may give positive result for COVID-19.
Other Viral Screening:
- Viral PCR screening including Adenovirus, Herpes Simplex Virus (Type 1&2), Epstein Barr Virus, Cytomegalovirus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) will yield negative results.
- Viral serology for Influenza Virus A and B, Parainfluenza 1-4, Respiratory Syncytial virus, Enterovirus and Rhinovirus with negative results.
- Negative antibody results for bacteria such as Chlamydia Pneumoniae, Bordetella Pertussis, Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and Borrelia.
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.
Urinary retention:
Foley catheter insertion will show and relieve retained urine.
Electrocardiogram
There are no ECG findings associated with [disease name].
OR
An ECG may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an ECG suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
X-ray
There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name].
OR
An x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an x-ray suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
There are no x-ray findings associated with [disease name]. However, an x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with [disease name].
OR
Echocardiography/ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an echocardiography/ultrasound suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with [disease name]. However, an echocardiography/ultrasound may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
CT scan
There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name].
OR
[Location] CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on CT scan suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name]. However, a CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
MRI
There are no MRI findings associated with [disease name].
OR
[Location] MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on MRI suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
There are no MRI findings associated with [disease name]. However, a MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
Other Imaging Findings
There are no other imaging findings associated with [disease name].
OR
[Imaging modality] may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an [imaging modality] suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Other Diagnostic Studies
There are no other diagnostic studies associated with [disease name].
OR
[Diagnostic study] may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
OR
Other diagnostic studies for [disease name] include [diagnostic study 1], which demonstrates [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3], and [diagnostic study 2], which demonstrates [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].
Treatment
Medical Therapy
There is no treatment for [disease name]; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care.
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Supportive therapy for [disease name] includes [therapy 1], [therapy 2], and [therapy 3].
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The majority of cases of [disease name] are self-limited and require only supportive care.
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[Disease name] is a medical emergency and requires prompt treatment.
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The mainstay of treatment for [disease name] is [therapy].
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The optimal therapy for [malignancy name] depends on the stage at diagnosis.
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[Therapy] is recommended among all patients who develop [disease name].
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Pharmacologic medical therapy is recommended among patients with [disease subclass 1], [disease subclass 2], and [disease subclass 3].
OR
Pharmacologic medical therapies for [disease name] include (either) [therapy 1], [therapy 2], and/or [therapy 3].
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Empiric therapy for [disease name] depends on [disease factor 1] and [disease factor 2].
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Patients with [disease subclass 1] are treated with [therapy 1], whereas patients with [disease subclass 2] are treated with [therapy 2].
Surgery
Surgical intervention is not recommended for the management of [disease name].
OR
Surgery is not the first-line treatment option for patients with [disease name]. Surgery is usually reserved for patients with either [indication 1], [indication 2], and [indication 3]
OR
The mainstay of treatment for [disease name] is medical therapy. Surgery is usually reserved for patients with either [indication 1], [indication 2], and/or [indication 3].
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The feasibility of surgery depends on the stage of [malignancy] at diagnosis.
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Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for [disease or malignancy].
Primary Prevention
There are no established measures for the primary prevention of [disease name].
OR
There are no available vaccines against [disease name].
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Effective measures for the primary prevention of [disease name] include [measure1], [measure2], and [measure3].
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[Vaccine name] vaccine is recommended for [patient population] to prevent [disease name]. Other primary prevention strategies include [strategy 1], [strategy 2], and [strategy 3].
Secondary Prevention
There are no established measures for the secondary prevention of [disease name].
OR
Effective measures for the secondary prevention of [disease name] include [strategy 1], [strategy 2], and [strategy 3].
References
- ↑ "www.medrxiv.org" (PDF).
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 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.
- ↑ . doi:10.5811/cpcem.2020.5.47937. Missing or empty
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