Leukoencephalopathy Associated with Severe COVID-19 Infection: Sequela of Hypoxemia?
Min LangKaren BuchMatthew D LiWilliam A MehanA L LangThabele M Leslie-MazwiSandra RinconPublished in: AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology (2020)
There is increasing evidence to suggest that complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection are not only limited to the pulmonary system but can also involve the central nervous system. Here, we report 6 critically ill patients with COVID-19 infection and neuroimaging findings of leukoencephalopathy. While these findings are nonspecific, we postulate that they may be a delayed response to the profound hypoxemia the patients experienced due to the infection. No abnormal enhancement, hemorrhage, or perfusion abnormalities were noted on MR imaging. In addition, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 was not detected in the CSF collected from the 2 patients who underwent lumbar puncture. Recognition of COVID-19-related leukoencephalopathy is important for appropriate clinical management, disposition, and prognosis.
Keyphrases
- coronavirus disease
- end stage renal disease
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- sars cov
- ejection fraction
- chronic kidney disease
- newly diagnosed
- prognostic factors
- peritoneal dialysis
- minimally invasive
- magnetic resonance imaging
- computed tomography
- pulmonary hypertension
- magnetic resonance
- contrast enhanced
- autism spectrum disorder
- cerebrospinal fluid
- drug induced