Parsonage–Turner syndrome following coronavirus disease 2019 immunization with ChAdOx1-S vaccine: a case report and review of the literature

Background Parsonage–Turner syndrome is an acute peripheral neuropathy that affects the upper brachial plexus region. Previously published reports demonstrate that the condition can be triggered by surgery, infection, autoimmune diseases, strenuous exercise, trauma, radiation, and vaccination. Parsonage–Turner syndrome has already been reported in three other patients who were vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019. Case presentation We report the case of a 51-year-old Caucasian man without comorbidities who received the first dose of the ChAdOx1-S recombinant vaccine (Vaxzevria, AstraZeneca, Oxford, UK) against coronavirus disease 2019 and was diagnosed with Parsonage–Turner syndrome. A few days after getting vaccinated, the patient reported a progressive increase in pain in the region of vaccine administration. One month later, the shoulder pain was followed by symptoms of hypoesthesia and muscle weakness on abduction and elevation of the left upper limb. Neurological examination revealed an atrophy of the proximal muscles of the left upper limb, accompanied by paresis of the left deltoid, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and infraspinatus muscles. Electroneuromyography carried out 3 months after the onset of symptoms showed signs consistent with brachial plexus neuritis. The adverse reaction has been properly reported to the Italian Pharmacovigilance System (Italian Medicines Agency—Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco. Conclusion The increased awareness of such association is essential for early identification and diagnosis and, thus, better clinical outcomes.

Prednisone combined with antiviral agents for the treatment of early idiopathic brachial plexus neuritis: report of five cases

<p><strong>Background and Objective: </strong>The aim of this study was to report the short-term outcomes of early idiopathic brachial plexus neuritis after low-dose corticosteroid combined with antiviral agent.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> Five patients with early brachial plexus neuritis presenting from April to June 2019 were included in this study. According to individual patient conditions, electromyography (EMG), nerve B-ultrasound and/or brachial plexus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed. After the diagnosis was confirmed, modified conservative treatments were initiated, including low-dose corticosteroid therapy and antiviral therapy for 2 weeks each while neurotrophic therapy for 4 weeks.</p> <p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the five patients, only two patients had symptoms of pain at onset, and three patients had sensory disturbances. Two patients reported a common cold before onset. The lesion involved the upper trunk of the brachial plexus in two patients. MRI showed slightly intense signals, of which one patient also had supraclavicular lymph node augmentation. The other three patients suffered ipsilateral radial nerve (RN) palsy. At 1 month of modified treatment, four patients recovered well with almost complete shoulder and hand movements; however, their muscle strength was still weaker comparing with the contralateral side. One patient restored full range of motion after surgery in 2 months.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Early treatment is the key to good prognosis in patients with brachial plexus neuritis. Antiviral therapy combined with lowdose corticosteroid therapy may be superior to traditional treatment alone. In terms of early diagnosis, the clinical value of imaging examinations such as ultrasound and MRI is more specific as compared to that of EMG.</p>

Zoster-associated limb paralysis mimicking acute stroke: a case report

Background Varicella zoster virus is a Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) virus exclusively affecting humans. Reactivation of varicella zoster virus causes herpes zoster with vesicular eruptions in a restricted dermatomal distribution. Peripheral motor neuropathy is a very rare complication of varicella zoster virus. Case presentation A 57-year-old previously well Sri Lankan female presented with acute onset painful weakness of the left upper limb with a preceding history of a febrile illness. Subsequently she developed vesicular eruptions in the dermatomal distribution of cervical 5, 6, and 7. Electromyography was suggestive of acute denervation of cervical 5, 6, and 7 myotomes. Diagnosis of zoster-associated brachial plexopathy was made, and the patient was treated with acyclovir, steroids, and analgesics. She made a good recovery. Conclusion Brachial plexus neuritis due to varicella zoster infection should be considered in an acute monoparesis of a limb as it is a treatable and reversible condition

The Role of Positional Release Therapy in Treating Recalcitrant Brachial Plexus Neuritis: A Case Report

A 17-year-old female Caucasian soccer player presented with severe right shoulder pain and scapular winging due to brachial plexus neuritis. Over the course of 6 weeks, the patient received Positional Release Therapy once a week coupled with electrical modalities, massage and a daily home exercise program. The form of brachial plexus neuritis the patient was diagnosed with was Parsonage-Turner Syndrome, a rare condition often resistant to traditional physical therapy, typically persists for six months to years, at times requiring surgical intervention. This case report is unique because it is the first to utilize Positional Release Therapy for its treatment and one which resolved more quickly than typically reported.

Detect it so you can treat it: a case series and proposed checklist to detect neurotoxicity in checkpoint therapy

Background: Checkpoint inhibitors show impressive and durable responses in various cancer types and provide new avenues for cancer immunotherapy. However, these drugs have a variety of adverse events. Common autoimmune-related adverse effects include fatigue, hepatitis, skin rash, endocrine deficiencies, and colitis. Neurotoxicity has been reported, but its incidence and course remain unclear.Methods: To illustrate the broad spectrum of neurotoxicity, we exemplarily report the neurological adverse events of five patients with melanoma and one patient with differentiated thyroid cancer who received checkpoint inhibitors at Essen University Hospital (Essen, Germany).Results: After treatment with ipilimumab, nivolumab or pembrolizumab, neurotoxic effects included hypophysitis-associated neck pain and headache, Guillain-Barré syndrome, transverse myelitis, acute brachial plexus neuritis, and ocular myasthenia gravis.Conclusions: Checkpoint inhibitor therapy remains a success story; however, neurological immune-related adverse events may cause severe life-threatening conditions. We propose a checklist for the early detection of neurological adverse events during routine clinical treatment to prevent more severe courses of checkpoint inhibitor-induced neurotoxicity.