Thrombectomy of an Acute Ischemic Stroke in a Child with COVID-19 and MIS-C: Case Analysis and Literature Context

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Vascular Neurology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• COVID-19 and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) are associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular events.
• Neurovascular complications, including ischemic stroke, are increasingly reported in pediatric populations affected by these conditions.

Observation:

• A case of a very young child presenting with acute ischemic stroke secondary to left anterior oblique (LAO) artery occlusion is detailed.
• The child was concurrently diagnosed with COVID-19 and MIS-C, suggesting a potential link between these conditions and stroke etiology.

Findings:

• Successful recanalization of the affected artery was achieved through mechanical thrombectomy.
• Clinical and imaging findings were compared with existing literature, revealing unique aspects of this case.
• The study explores the multifactorial endothelial dysfunction implicated in neurovascular complications during COVID-19 and MIS-C.

Implications:

• This case underscores the critical need for heightened awareness of stroke risk in children with COVID-19 and MIS-C.
• Mechanical thrombectomy can be an effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke in this pediatric population.
• Further research into the pathobiology of COVID-19-associated endothelial dysfunction is warranted to prevent such severe neurological outcomes.