Anaplastic Ependymoma and Atypical Refractory Longitudinal Expansive Transverse Myelitis Due to Immune Reaction After COVID-19 - A Case Discussion That Raises Many Unknown Questions About Covid-19

Noro Psikiyatr Ars. 2023 Nov 21;61(4):370-373. doi: 10.29399/npa.28464. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Inflammatory neurologic manifestations, both infectious and non-infectious, have been reported secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19). However, the relationship of spinal tumor and COVID-19 longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) coexistence has never been reported in our knowledge. The clinical presentation and response to treatment of a 24-year-old female patient diagnosed with COVID-19 LETM and anaplastic ependymoma are described in this case report. The Patient's cerebrospinal fluid COVID-19 antibody level was higher than serum and she was resistant to immunosuppressive treatment. The interaction between COVID-19 and spinal tumor was discussed in the light of the literature. It is thought that COVID-19 infection could trigger tumor growth in this patient. Also, this is the first case of anaplastic ependymoma and COVID-19 myelitis coexistence in the literature.

Keywords: Anaplastic ependymoma; COVID-19; Longitudinal extensive transvers myelitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports