Open AccessCovid-19 Brachial plexopathy: a case report
Author(s) -
Antonio Edvan Camelo Filho,
Diego Sant’Ana Sodré,
Halisson Flamini Arantes,
Carlos Otto Heise
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
DOI - 10.5327/1516-3180.518
Subject(s) - brachial plexopathy , medicine , mononeuropathy , brachial plexus , weakness , context (archaeology) , electromyography , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , surgery , peripheral neuropathy , paleontology , endocrinology , biology , diabetes mellitus
Context: The understanding of neuromuscular manifestations secondary to infection by SARS-CoV-2 is scarce. Peripheral neuropathies are a heterogeneous group of diseases affecting the peripheral nervous system, with a variable motor, sensitive and autonomic involvement. There are recent descriptions of atypical patterns of neuropathies after COVID-19. In this study we aim to report a brachial plexopathy secondary to COVID-19 with its clinical and electrophysiological characterization. We performed a cross-sectional, observational, descriptive, case report type, using medical record review. Case report: A 42 year-old female was hospitalized for 2 months due to severe respiratory syndrome due to COVID-19. She remained in the ICU for 20 days. During her stay in the ward she complained of weakness and pain in his right upper limb. Physical examination revealed weakness in the right shoulder abduction and elbow flexion. Nerve conduction studies demonstrated involvement of the upper trunk of the right brachial plexus. There was no report of trauma. Her BMI was 50 kg/m2. Conclusions: Recent studies bring atypical descriptions of focal neuropathies, multiple mononeuropathies and plexopathies, opening a new field of study in addition to the description of neuromuscular weakness following ICU stay after COVID-19. From an electrophysiological point of view, there is a recent interest in better characterization of patients with axonal neuropathies suggesting a possible vasculitic mechanism of neuronal damage after COVID-19. Further investigations are necessary to improve the characterization of this particular group, helping its diagnosis and early treatment to reduce complications and disabilities.