COVID-19 myocarditis and postinfection Bell's palsy

BMJ Case Rep. 2021 Jan 11;14(1):e240095. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-240095.

Abstract

Here we present the case of a 37-year-old previously healthy man who developed fever, headache and a unilateral, painful neck swelling while working offshore. He had no known contact with anyone with COVID-19; however, due to the ongoing pandemic, a nasopharyngeal swab was performed, which was positive for the virus. After transfer to hospital for assessment his condition rapidly deteriorated, requiring admission to intensive care for COVID-19 myocarditis. One week after discharge he re-presented with unilateral facial nerve palsy. Our case highlights an atypical presentation of COVID-19 and the multifaceted clinical course of this still poorly understood disease.

Keywords: cardiovascular medicine; infectious diseases; neurology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alkalosis, Respiratory / blood*
  • Alkalosis, Respiratory / etiology
  • Bell Palsy / physiopathology*
  • Blood Gas Analysis
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • COVID-19 / blood
  • COVID-19 / physiopathology*
  • COVID-19 / therapy
  • Echocardiography
  • Edema / etiology
  • Electrocardiography
  • Humans
  • Hypotension / etiology
  • Hypotension / physiopathology
  • Lymphadenitis / etiology
  • Lymphadenitis / physiopathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Myocarditis / blood
  • Myocarditis / diagnostic imaging
  • Myocarditis / physiopathology*
  • Myocarditis / therapy
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / blood
  • Neck
  • Oxygen Inhalation Therapy
  • Peptide Fragments / blood
  • Procalcitonin / blood
  • Recovery of Function
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Troponin T / blood
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Peptide Fragments
  • Procalcitonin
  • Troponin T
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents
  • pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76)
  • Natriuretic Peptide, Brain
  • C-Reactive Protein