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COVID-19 Infection Presenting With Severe Hydrocephalus and Acute Stroke: A Case Report
Omotola Oredipe1, Anmol S Johal2, Chinwendu Onuegbu3
1Internal Medicine, University of Lagos College of Medicine, Lagos, NGA.
Insights
A rare case report details a patient with COVID-19 who developed acute hydrocephalus and stroke. This highlights potential neurological complications of COVID-19, emphasizing the need for broad differential diagnoses in headache presentations.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Hydrocephalus, the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in brain ventricles, is a medical emergency.
- Acute hydrocephalus presents with symptoms like headache, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, vision changes, and seizures.
- Identifying the cause of hydrocephalus is crucial for effective treatment and management.
Observation:
- A patient with a recent diagnosis of COVID-19 presented with acute hydrocephalus and stroke.
- This case highlights a rare but serious neurological complication potentially linked to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Findings:
- The case report explores the potential pathophysiological links between COVID-19 and the development of hydrocephalus and stroke.
- Investigating the underlying mechanisms of COVID-19-induced neurological events is essential.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering COVID-19 as a potential trigger for acute hydrocephalus and stroke.
- Maintaining a broad differential diagnosis for patients presenting with headaches is critical.
- Recognizing potential severe neurological complications of COVID-19 can lead to improved patient outcomes and timely interventions.
Abstract:
Hydrocephalus is the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the cerebral ventricles and is considered an emergency in acute presentation. Hydrocephalus typically presents with symptoms of headache, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, vision changes and seizure; furthermore, narrowing down the underlying etiology of hydrocephalus can aid in treatment and management options. We present a rare case of a patient that presented with a recent diagnosis of COVID-19 and was found to have acute hydrocephalus and stroke. The aim of this case report is to explore the link between COVID-19 and the development of hydrocephalus and stroke by delineating the underlying pathophysiology of COVID-19 as well as the etiologies of hydrocephalus and possible management strategies. We hope to highlight the importance of keeping an open differential for presentations of headaches and also emphasize the potential complications of COVID-19 infection to help better patient outcomes.
