Table 1 Selection of ICU-relevant publications on neurologic manifestations of COVID-19
From: Critical care physicians treating COVID-19: mind the nervous system!
First author | Location | Study type | Sample | Main outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Helms | Strasbourg, France | Retro study | 58 | ICU patients, median age 63 y, assessed during wake up trial or after cessation of sedation: CNS symptoms in 84%, of these agitation in 69%, corticospinal tract affections in 67%, neurocognititive dysfunction after discharge in 36%. Diagnostics: MRI in 11 of 13 with hypoperfusion, ischemic stroke (3), or leptomeningeal contrast enhancement; CSF in 7 with elevated protein, no SARS-CoV-2 detection |
Moriguchi | Yamanshi, Japan | Case report | 1 | 24 yo patient with headache, fever, seizures and obtundation, meningoencephalitis; MRI with hyperintensities, CSF with SARS-CoV-2 detection |
Paniz-Mondolfi | New York City, USA | Case report | 1 | 74 yo patient with fever and confusion, died after severe ICU course; on autopsy detection of SARS-CoV-2 in neurons and endothelial cells of frontal brain |
Toscano | Brescia/ Pavia/ Alessandria, Italy | Case series | 5 | 23–77 yo patients, 3 ventilated, with tetraplegia 5–10 days after COVID-19 symptoms, typical signs of Guillain -Barré syndrome on elecrophysiology tests and in CSF without SARS-CoV-2 detection |
Oxley | New York City, USA | Case series | 5 | Patients < 50 y, sudden and severe neurologic deficits from large vessel occlusion despite absence of stroke risk factors; laboratory constellation of inflammation and hypercoagulability |