Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 9, 2025

Diagnosis and Surgical Treatment of Human Brucellar Spondylodiscitis
Published on: May 23, 2021
Chronic subclinical spondylotic myelopathy exacerbated by COVID-19: A case report
Parménides Guadarrama-Ortiz1, José Alberto Choreño-Parra1, Francisco Javier Pacheco-Sánchez2,3
1Department of Neurosurgery, Centro Especializado en Neurocirugía y Neurociencias México (CENNM), Mexico City, Mexico.
Introduction:
Besides typical respiratory symptoms, the coronavirus disease 2019, also known as COVID-19, is characterized by a wide range of neurological symptoms that result from the injury of the brain and peripheral nerves. Only a few reports have described the involvement of the spinal cord among COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, little is known about the risk of individuals with chronic degenerative conditions of the spine for acute neurological complications of COVID-19.
Case Presentation:
Here, we describe the case of a 73-year-old man with a subclinical cervical multifocal spondylotic myelopathy that manifested neurological symptoms of spinal cord injury only some days after getting infected with SARS-CoV-2. The patient did not show any data associated with respiratory involvement and improved clinically after decompressive spinal surgery and administration of steroids.
Conclusions:
This is the first reported case of an acute exacerbation of a chronic degenerative condition of the spine caused by COVID-19.
Related Concept Videos
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
