Parsonage-Turner syndrome association with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Díaz, Cristóbal; Contreras, Julio J.; Muñoz, Martín; Osorio, Matías; Quiroz, Milton; Pizarro, Renato

Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS), also known as idiopathic brachial plexopathy or neuralgic amyotrophy, was first described by Julius Dreschfeld in 1887. PTS is characterized by a single or multiple mononeuropathies at the level of the brachial plexus (not exclusive), acute and self-limited, associated with motor deficit and muscle atrophy. The exact pathophysiology is still unknown. Of the many proposed causes, an infectious or immune-mediated process seems to be the most supported. Viral illness is the most common associated risk factor (25% to 55%). Currently, there are only three case reports in the literature on the relation of COVID-19 with PTS. The COVID- 19 neurological involvement has been described mainly at the central nervous system, with Guillain-Barré syndrome being the most frequent at the peripheral nervous system. In the context of a coronavirus pandemic, we should suspect this disease in patients with neuropathic pain in the shoulder region within the possible differential diagnoses. This publication is about a case of PTS in association with COVID-19 and a review of scientific literature available.