Post-COVID-19 Acute Transverse Myelitis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Cureus. 2021 Dec 22;13(12):e20628. doi: 10.7759/cureus.20628. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) following coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is rarely reported in the literature. We report a case of ATM after COVID-19 infection in a female who presented with sudden onset bilateral lower limb weakness, paresthesia, and urinary retention. She developed fever, cough, dyspnea two weeks ago, and her COVID-19 test was positive one week later. After a complete physical examination and detailed investigations, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis, autoimmune screening, and infectious workup, a diagnosis of ATM due to COVID-19 was made. Magnetic resonance imaging of the whole spine confirmed the diagnosis of ATM. She was managed with intravenous methylprednisolone, physical therapy, and bladder training and her condition improved gradually.

Keywords: acute transverse myelitis (atm); covid 19; longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis; myelopathy; sars-cov-2.

Publication types

  • Case Reports