COVID-19-Related Multifocal Demyelinating Neuropathy: Causation or Association

Elavarasi, Arunmozhimaran; Srivastava, Vasantha Padma; Garg, Ajay

COVID-19 produces pulmonary symptoms in the majority of symptomatic patients. However, demyelinating illnesses of the central and peripheral nervous system are reported in few patients. We report a case of multifocal demyelination involving the peripheral nerves as well as the optic nerve who developed these symptoms while on corticosteroid therapy, which was being given for treating the COVID-19-related inflammatory state. He improved with a short course of steroids. This is the first reported case of multifocal demyelinating neuropathy in relation to COVID-19 to the best of our knowledge. Though there have been reports of COVID-19-associated central nervous system and peripheral nervous system demyelinating illness, whether COVID-19 is causative or just an association is yet to be discerned.