A possible Guillain-Barré syndrome/transverse myelitis overlap syndrome after recent COVID-19

Neurological manifestations are common in SARS-CoV-2 infection, including life-threatening acute muscle weakness, due to neuromuscular disorders such as acute transverse myelitis (TM) and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). These syndromes can rarely coexist and present as an overlap syndrome. Here, we report a patient who developed acute symmetrical proximal lower limb weakness 5 days after diagnosis of COVID-19. GBS was diagnosed due to the presence of motor signs, albumin-cytological dissociation in cerebrospinal fluid examination and axonal damage according to nerve condition tests. However, abnormal areas on MRI of the thoracic spine and lack of improvement with intravenous immunoglobulin supported a diagnosis of TM. Therefore, a possible overlap between GBS and TM was established. To our knowledge, this is the third case report of GBS/TM overlap syndrome after COVID-19. The patient's full and rapid recovery with intravenous corticosteroids and plasmapheresis supports our diagnosis.