RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Leukoencephalopathy Associated with Severe COVID-19 Infection: Sequela of Hypoxemia?
JF American Journal of Neuroradiology
JO Am. J. Neuroradiol.
FD American Society of Neuroradiology
SP 1641
OP 1645
DO 10.3174/ajnr.A6671
VO 41
IS 9
A1 M. Lang
A1 K. Buch
A1 M.D. Li
A1 W.A. Mehan, Jr
A1 A.L. Lang
A1 T.M. Leslie-Mazwi
A1 S.P. Rincon
YR 2020
UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/41/9/1641.abstract
AB SUMMARY: There is increasing evidence to suggest that complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection are not only limited to the pulmonary system but can also involve the central nervous system. Here, we report 6 critically ill patients with COVID-19 infection and neuroimaging findings of leukoencephalopathy. While these findings are nonspecific, we postulate that they may be a delayed response to the profound hypoxemia the patients experienced due to the infection. No abnormal enhancement, hemorrhage, or perfusion abnormalities were noted on MR imaging. In addition, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 was not detected in the CSF collected from the 2 patients who underwent lumbar puncture. Recognition of COVID-19-related leukoencephalopathy is important for appropriate clinical management, disposition, and prognosis.COVID-19coronavirus disease 2019PaO2partial pressure of oxygenSARS-CoV-2Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2MRmagnetic resonanceCTcomputed tomographyCSFcerebrospinal fluid