A systematic review on COVID-19 and spinal strokes, the end of an era

To investigate the association of the COVID-19 virus with hemorrhagic and ischemic spinal strokes.

COVID-19 has extensive extrapulmonary manifestations. Myelitis, demyelinating syndromes, hemorrhagic and ischemic presentations have been reported. To date, there is no comprehensive study to delineate an evidence-based correlation between COVID-19 and spinal strokes comprehensively.

A PRISMA-based systematic review.

In the final review, 8 data sets for ischemia and 11 for hemorrhagic lesions were included. The mean age for ischemia and hemorrhagic lesions was 52 and 47 years old, respectively. Patients with cord ischemia had more severe COVID-19 pneumonia as compared to hemorrhagic (62 % vs 27 %). Lab results showed 75 % coagulation abnormalities in cord ischemia patients while there was no coagulopathy in the hemorrhage group. Somatosensory deficits were the most prevalent neurological presentations in both groups. MRI showed that the anterior spinal artery and central ischemia were the most common patterns of COVID-19 spinal ischemia. MRI images also revealed epidural and intramedullary hematomas were the most common type of hemorrhagic lesions with cervical and thoracic preferences. The most common on-admission neurological status was American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale A-B(ischemia) and ASIA B-D(hemorrhage). All of the ischemic patients received conservative management. In hemorrhagic patients, there were 4 laminectomies, 6 conservative management, and 1 combined approach. Post-intervention clinical outcomes in ischemia were unfavorable but in the hemorrhagic spinal strokes, it had more promising results.

COVID-19 can cause both ischemia and hemorrhagic spinal strokes. Coagulopathy may be a precipitating factor in cord ischemia development while other neuropathogenesis mechanisms may precipitate spinal hemorrhage. Early surgical or conservative management is the key factor in determining long-term outcomes.