Cranial Nerve Impairment Associated With COVID-19 Infections: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presents significant global health and economic challenges.
• While respiratory symptoms are common, the neurological effects of COVID-19, particularly on cranial nerves, require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically investigate the incidence and characteristics of cranial nerve dysfunction in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across five major databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, EBSCO, and Google Scholar.
• Data were synthesized from 21 case reports, one case series (29 patients), and one analytical study (135 cases), encompassing a wide age range.

Main Results:

• Cranial nerve impairment was observed across a broad demographic, from pediatric to elderly populations.
• The facial and abducent nerves were most frequently affected.
• Olfactory dysfunction was a common finding.
• Neurological symptoms typically appeared approximately 9.6 days after initial respiratory symptoms, with a mean recovery time of 16.3 days.

Conclusions:

• COVID-19 infection is associated with a notable spectrum of cranial nerve dysfunction.
• Prompt recognition and management of these neurological complications are crucial.
• The majority of affected patients demonstrate a favorable prognosis, with recovery often occurring within weeks.