Context: COVID-19 is well-known to increase the risk of developing thromboembolism; thus, patients may present with diverse neurovascular manifestations. Case report: A 56-year-old man presented with sudden onset of incoordination of his left arm and leg. He also had a history of recurrent episodes of transient left hemithoracic pain radiating to his left arm, along with right visual hemi-field positive phenomena. Additionally, he reported self-limited fever and anosmia three weeks earlier. Examination revealed left hemiataxia (NIHSS score: 2). Initial assessment with brain CT, intracranial and cervical CT angiography was normal. Shortly after admission, the patient developed acute weakness of his four limbs and urinary retention. Neurological exam showed left homonimous hemianopia, asymmetric tetraparesis and a superficial sensory level at C4. Neuraxis MRI was performed and diffusion-weighted imaging revealed acute ischemic lesions in the occiptal lobes, cerebellum and cervicalthoracic spine. A thorough diagnostic work-up was conducted. Laboratory tests were unremarkable, including inflammatory markers, viral hepatitis, HIV and syphilis serologies, as well as rheumatologic tests and a thrombophilia panel, except for SARS-COV-2 serology, with detection of IgM antibodies. RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swab was negative. Further investigation with CSF analysis, CT angiography of the aorta, transthoracic echocardiogram, 24-hour holter monitoring and transcranial Doppler didn’t show any abnormalities. Transesophageal echocardiogram revelead a minor patent foramen ovale. Conclusion: This is a case of acute cerebral, cerebellar and spinal embolic infarction, probably related to Covid-19, illustrating the infection’s associated coagulopathy¹.
Acute Aortic Occlusion Presenting as Flaccid Paraplegia
