COVID-19-Associated Bifacial Weakness with Paresthesia Subtype of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2020 Sep;41(9):1707-1711. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A6654. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Abstract

We report a case of bifacial weakness with paresthesia, a recognized Guillain-Barré syndrome subtype characterized by rapidly progressive facial weakness and paresthesia without ataxia or other cranial neuropathies, which was temporally associated with antecedent coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). This case highlights a potentially novel but critically important neurologic association of the COVID-19 disease process. Herein, we detail the clinicoradiologic work-up and diagnosis, clinical course, and multidisciplinary medical management of this patient with COVID-19. This case is illustrative of the increasingly recognized but potentially underreported neurologic manifestations of COVID-19, which must be considered and further investigated in this pandemic disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Facial Paralysis / etiology*
  • Guillain-Barre Syndrome / complications*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pandemics
  • Paresthesia / etiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Young Adult