Post COVID-19 transverse myelitis; a case report with review of literature

Ahmad, Shwan Abubakr; Salih, Karokh H.; Ahmed, Shaho Fatah; Kakamad, Fahmi H.; Salh, Abdulwahid M.; Hassan, Marwan Nasih; Mohammed, Karukh K.; Mohammed, Shvan H.; Salih, Rawezh Q.; Hussein, Dahat A.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). Recently, various complications have been reported. The aim of the current study is to report a rare case of transverse myelitis after recovering from COVID-19. CASE REPORT: A 34-year-old lady, presented with inability to walk for one day duration due to the lower limb weakness. After two weeks from the recovery of COVID-19; she developed progressive intermittent leg pain, paresthesia and weakness on both sides. Brain and cervical MRI showed evidence of a short segment inflammatory enhancing lesion at upper cervical region (at C1 level). The patient was treated conservatively. DISCUSSION: Transverse myelitis has many different causes, it occurs as an autoimmune phenomenon post-infection and vaccination, or it may result from direct infection or acquired demyelinating disease like multiple sclerosis. CONCLUSION: Although it is a sporadic finding, SARS-CoV-2 can cause transverse myelitis. The condition responds to medical therapy.