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Neuropediatrics 2023; 54(01): 073-077
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1757710
Short Communication

Supratentorial Demyelinating Lesions Following Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 Infection: A Pediatric Case Report

Silvia Boeri
1   Child Neuropsichiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
2   Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
,
Marina Martinez Popple
1   Child Neuropsichiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
2   Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
,
Thea Giacomini 
1   Child Neuropsichiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
,
Tommaso Bellini 
3   Pediatric Emergency Room and Emergency Medicine, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
,
Mariasavina Severino 
4   Pediatric Neuroradiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
,
Andrea Rossi
4   Pediatric Neuroradiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
,
Carla Debbia
3   Pediatric Emergency Room and Emergency Medicine, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
,
Silvana Ancona
2   Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
,
Elena Aldera
2   Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
,
Lino Nobili
1   Child Neuropsichiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
2   Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
,
Laura Siri
1   Child Neuropsichiatry Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
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Abstract

Introduction Most coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pediatric patients are asymptomatic; however, several neurological manifestations associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have been reported. Demyelinating events such as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis have been recently included among potential complications of COVID-19.

Case Report We describe the case of a 12-year-old boy who developed central nervous system demyelinating lesions following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Two months prior he had been diagnosed with panuveitis but was otherwise healthy. Three weeks after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, he started to complain of right temporal headache associated with right orbital pain without vision impairment. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed large leukodystrophy-like demyelinating lesions. Standard electroencephalogram revealed a slow activity on the right hemisphere. His clinical and electroencephalographic course was favorable, with a good response to corticosteroid therapy and infusions of intravenous immunoglobulins. Delayed but complete resolution of brain lesions was noted on imaging.

Conclusion Our case contributes to broaden the knowledge regarding the spectrum of possible complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The relative lack of clinical manifestations in our patient can be seen as a warning not to underestimate even mild neurological symptoms correlated with COVID-19.

Keywords

SARS-Cov-2 - headache - demyelinating lesions - panuveitis - brain MRI

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 08 May 2022

Accepted: 26 August 2022

Article published online:
23 December 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
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