Magnetic resonance imaging features of COVID-19-related cranial nerve lesions

J Neurovirol. 2021 Feb;27(1):171-177. doi: 10.1007/s13365-020-00934-0. Epub 2021 Jan 18.

Abstract

The complete features of the neurological complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) still need to be elucidated, including associated cranial nerve involvement. In the present study we describe cranial nerve lesions seen in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of six cases of confirmed COVID-19, involving the olfactory bulb, optic nerve, abducens nerve, and facial nerve. Cranial nerve involvement was associated with COVID-19, but whether by direct viral invasion or autoimmunity needs to be clarified. The development of neurological symptoms after initial respiratory symptoms and the absence of the virus in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) suggest the possibility of autoimmunity.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cranial nerves; MRI; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abducens Nerve / diagnostic imaging*
  • Abducens Nerve / immunology
  • Abducens Nerve / pathology
  • Abducens Nerve / virology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Autoimmunity
  • COVID-19 / diagnostic imaging*
  • COVID-19 / immunology
  • COVID-19 / pathology
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / immunology
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / pathology
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / virology
  • Facial Nerve / diagnostic imaging*
  • Facial Nerve / immunology
  • Facial Nerve / pathology
  • Facial Nerve / virology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Neuroimaging
  • Olfactory Bulb / diagnostic imaging*
  • Olfactory Bulb / immunology
  • Olfactory Bulb / pathology
  • Olfactory Bulb / virology
  • Optic Nerve / diagnostic imaging*
  • Optic Nerve / immunology
  • Optic Nerve / pathology
  • Optic Nerve / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / pathogenicity