Severe Neurologic Complications of SARS-CoV-2

Daniella C Sisniega; Alexandra S Reynolds

doi:10.1007/s11940-021-00669-1

Severe Neurologic Complications of SARS-CoV-2

Curr Treat Options Neurol. 2021;23(5):14. doi: 10.1007/s11940-021-00669-1. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Authors

Daniella C Sisniega¹, Alexandra S Reynolds^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1136, New York, NY 10029 USA.
² Department of Neurosurgery, The Mount Sinai Hospital, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1136, New York, NY 10029 USA.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review presents an overview of the known neurocritical care complications of severe acute respiratory virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We present readers with a review of the literature of severe neurologic complications of SARS-CoV-2 and cases from our institution to illustrate these conditions.

Recent findings: Neurologic manifestations are being increasingly recognized in the literature. Some patients can have severe neurologic manifestations, though the true prevalence is unknown.

Summary: Severe neurologic complications of COVID-19 include large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, encephalitis, myelitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, status epilepticus, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. These conditions can manifest in COVID-19 patients even in the absence of risk factors and must be promptly identified as they can have a high mortality if left untreated.

Keywords: COVID-19 related stroke; Neurological complications of COVID-19; Seizure.

Publication types

Review