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COVID-19-associated Diffuse Leukoencephalopathy and Microhemorrhages
Alireza Radmanesh1, Anna Derman1, Yvonne W Lui1
1From the Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 660 First Ave, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10016.
Radiology
|May 22, 2020
Summary
Critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) showed specific brain imaging findings. These included white matter changes and microhemorrhages, suggesting neurological complications in severe COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is linked to various neurological complications.
- Brain imaging in COVID-19 patients has revealed findings like infarcts, hemorrhages, and encephalopathy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report and characterize specific brain imaging features in critically ill COVID-19 patients with persistent altered mental status.
- To investigate potential pathogeneses of observed neurological findings in severe COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was performed on 11 critically ill COVID-19 patients.
- Imaging analysis focused on white matter abnormalities and microhemorrhages.
Main Results:
- Ten of 11 patients exhibited confluent T2 hyperintensity and mild restricted diffusion in deep and subcortical white matter.
- Seven of 11 patients presented with multiple punctate microhemorrhages in juxtacortical and callosal white matter.
Conclusions:
- Diffuse leukoencephalopathy and microhemorrhages are significant brain imaging findings in severe COVID-19.
- These findings suggest a potential pattern of neurological injury associated with COVID-19.
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