[Parsonage-Turner syndrome following severe SARS-CoV-2 infection]

Complications following COVID-19 are starting to emerge; neurological disorders are already described in the literature.

This case is about a 20-year old male with a severe COVID-19, hospitalized in a Reanimation and Intensive Care Unit with an Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, thromboembolic complication and secondary bacterial infection. This patient had a non-specific neurological disorder with a pseudobulbar palsy, (MRI, ENMG and lumbar puncture were normal), associated 4 months later with persistent left shoulder motor deficit and respiratory failure. Respiratory and neurological check-up led to a diagnosis of the Parsonage-Turner syndrome or neuralgic amyotrophy affecting C5-C6 nerve roots, the lateral pectoral and phrenic nerves at the origin of the scapular belt, amyotrophy and left diaphragm paralysis.

This case shows that persistant dyspnoea after COVID 19 infection should lead to a search for a diaphragmatic cause which is not always the result of Reanimation Neuropathy but may also indicate a neuralgic amyotrophy. It is the fourth case of neuralgic amyotrophy following COVID-19. This brings the medical community to consider the risk of diaphragm paralysis apart from critical illness polyneuropathy. Respiratory muscle evaluation and diaphragmatic ultrasound should be considered in case of persistent dyspnoea.