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Published on: June 8, 2017
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.
Insights
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.
Abstract:
Diffuse leukoencephalopathy and juxtacortical and/or callosal microhemorrhages were brain imaging features in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been reported in association with a variety of brain imaging findings such as ischemic infarct, hemorrhage, and acute hemorrhagic necrotizing encephalopathy. Herein, the authors report brain imaging features in 11 critically ill patients with COVID-19 with persistently diminished mental status who underwent MRI between April 5 and April 25, 2020. These imaging features include (a) confluent T2 hyperintensity and mild restricted diffusion in bilateral supratentorial deep and subcortical white matter (in 10 of 11 patients) and (b) multiple punctate microhemorrhages in juxtacortical and callosal white matter (in seven of 11 patients). The authors also discuss potential pathogeneses.
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