MOG-antibody-associated longitudinal extensive myelitis after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination

This case report describes a 59-year-old man with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-positive longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) after being vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine ChAdOx1 nCoV-19. He presented with urinary retention, gait disturbance, hypoesthesia and brisk reflexes in his lower extremities without paresis. Due to the ineffectiveness of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone, therapeutic plasma exchange was performed, gradually improving the patient’s condition. Vaccination as a trigger for an excessive immunological response seems plausible, though unspecific for the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine.

Longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis with sixth nerve palsy post ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine: A case report and literature review

Concurrently with the quick development of COVID-19 vaccines globally, concerns about vaccination efficacy and safety are rising. Neurological complications such as transverse myelitis (TM) are major worries because they can cause lifelong disabilities, which may require long term care. Here, we report a case of longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis (LETM), with sixth nerve palsy in a young female occurring shortly after ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine. The patient recalled developing strabismus, progressive ascending bilateral lower limb weakness, along with upper extremity paresthesia, abnormal sensation below T6 dermatomes, and difficulty in urination. She presented to the hospital with complete paralysis below the neck associated with urinary retention. Extensive diagnostic studies were performed to rule out alternative etiologies, including but not limited to demyelinating diseases, para-post infectious agents, paraneoplastic syndromes, tumors, and autoimmune diseases. She was treated with corticosteroids and discharged upon clinical improvement. However, the patient clinically deteriorated and intravenous immunoglobulin was administered. Unfortunately, the patient is still suffering from physical impairment. We suggested that LETM could be induced by an autoimmune process triggered molecule mimicry. In conclusion, safety monitoring of the COVID-19 vaccines is of great importance in the post marketing surveillance, particularly for rare adverse events.

Longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis following ChAdOx1 nCOV-19 vaccine: a case report

Background Transverse myelitis (TM) is a relatively uncommon condition, and vaccine-associated myelitis is even rarer. Concern regarding neurological complications following vaccination escalated following the report of TM during the safety and efficacy trials of the COVID-19 vaccine. Case presentation We report the first case of Longitudinal Extensive Transverse Myelitis (LETM) in Malaysia following administration of the chimpanzee adenovirus-vectored (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) vaccine. A 25-year-old female presented with bilateral lower limb weakness and inability to walk with a sensory level up to T8 with absent visual symptoms. Urgent gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine showed long segment TM over the thoracic region. Cerebrospinal fluid autoantibodies for anti-aquaporin-4 and anti-myelin-oligodendrocyte were negative. A diagnosis of LETM following vaccination was made, and the patient was started on a high dose of intravenous methylprednisolone. The patient eventually made a recovery following treatment. Conclusion LETM is a rare but serious adverse reaction following vaccination. Previously reported cases showed an onset of symptoms between 10 to 14 days post-vaccination, suggesting a delayed immunogenic reaction. However, the incidence of myelitis in COVID-19 is much more common, far greater than the risk associated with vaccination.

Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis (LETM) and Myopericarditis in a 7-Month-Old Child with SARs-CoV-2 Infection

Introduction In the last few months, some pediatric cases with neurological and neuroradiological pictures related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections have been reported, often associated with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). The most frequently encountered pediatric neurological complications seem to be postinfectious immune-mediated acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)-like changes of the brain, myelitis, neural enhancement, and splenial lesions. Concomitant neurological and cardiac involvement has been reported only in MIS-C, although specific clinical details are often not fully available. Methods In this case report, a very young child infected with SARs-CoV-2 and diagnosed as longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis with concomitant myo-pericarditis is presented. Results A previously healthy 7-month-old girl presented with abrupt onset of generalized weakness with inability to sit up. She had had mild respiratory symptoms 1 week earlier. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a T2-hyperintense intramedullary lesion extending from C4 to T2, compatible with acute longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM). Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was negative.Echocardiography and blood tests were suggestive for myo-pericarditis. Real time polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2 on nasopharyngeal swab sample tested positive. She was promptly treated with high dose of steroids and immunoglobulin with satisfactory clinical response. Conclusion To the evolving literature of neurological complications of SARs-CoV-2 infection, we add the youngest patient described to date with isolated LETM and concomitant cardiac involvement. Our case suggests that clinicians should be aware of this association, although difficult to recognize in infants. Practitioners are encouraged to consider aggressive first-line immunotherapies with the final aim to prevent permanent disability.

Acute longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis secondary to asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection

A 35-year-old woman, 6 months post partum, presented with acute onset back pain at the T8 level progressing to bilateral lower limb weakness and sensory loss with urinary retention and constipation. This patient had a pre-existing inflammatory disease, having recently developed ulcerative colitis antenatally. Five days prior to admission, she had tested positive asymptomatically on a SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcriptase PCR nasopharyngeal swab. The positive swab result was confirmed on admission. Clinical examination revealed bilaterally exaggerated knee reflexes, lower limb weakness and positive Babinski’s sign. Sensation was impaired at L4 and L5 dermatomes and absent at S1 and S2. MRI findings suggested longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis, with multiple regions of patchy hyperintensity seen in the thoracic region of the spinal cord both centrally and peripherally. She was started on a course of intravenous corticosteroids and improvement was seen both clinically and on repeat imaging. This case demonstrates a rare complication to an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection and explores the potential neurotropic properties of COVID-19.

Case Report: Longitudinal Extensive Transverse Myelitis With Novel Autoantibodies Following Two Rounds of Pembrolizumab

A 63-year-old male with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer developed longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) following two cycles of Pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) targeting the programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed centromedullary contrast enhancement at several levels, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology showed lymphocytic pleocytosis, and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) on the primate cerebellum, pancreas, and intestine revealed strong binding of neuronal autoantibodies to unknown antigens. CSF C–X–C motif ligand 13 (CXCL13) was elevated. The patient was treated with plasma exchange (PEX) and intravenous (i.v.) methylprednisolone (MP) 1 g/day for 5 days followed by oral (p.o.) MP 100 mg/day for 10 days with clinical and radiological response. However, after discontinuation of MP, LETM relapsed and the patient developed paralytic ileus presumably due to autoimmune enteropathy and suffered a fatal gastrointestinal sepsis. Findings of novel neuronal autoantibodies and highly elevated CXCL13 in CSF suggest that the severe neurological immune-related adverse event (nirAE) was B-cell mediated contrary to the commonly assumed ICI-induced T-cell toxicity. An individual evaluation of the underlying pathophysiology behind rare nirAEs is essential for choosing treatment regimens and securing optimal outcome.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) presenting as acute transverse myelitis with positive aquaporin 4 antibodies

An 80-year-old, previously healthy patient presents with acute transverse myelitis with sensory level at T8. The MRI scan of the spinal cord showed longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis, and she tested positive for aquaporin 4 antibodies in serum. She received treatment with intravenous and oral steroids, with no improvement and then underwent plasma exchange. She was then started on azathioprine for prevention of relapses, while continuing physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Eventually, she was transferred to a specialised spinal cord centre for long-term rehabilitation.