Title | Brachial plexopathy as a complication of COVID-19. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2021 |
Authors | Han CYoung, Tarr AM, Gewirtz AN, Kaunzner UW, Roy-Burman P, Cutler TS, MacGowan DJl |
Journal | BMJ Case Rep |
Volume | 14 |
Issue | 3 |
Date Published | 2021 Mar 25 |
ISSN | 1757-790X |
Abstract | COVID-19 affects a wide spectrum of organ systems. We report a 52-year-old man with hypertension and newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus who presented with hypoxic respiratory failure due to COVID-19 and developed severe brachial plexopathy. He was not treated with prone positioning respiratory therapy. Associated with the flaccid, painfully numb left upper extremity was a livedoid, purpuric rash on his left hand and forearm consistent with COVID-19-induced microangiopathy. Neuroimaging and electrophysiological data were consistent with near diffuse left brachial plexitis with selective sparing of axillary, suprascapular and pectoral fascicles. Given his microangiopathic rash, elevated D-dimers and paucifascicular plexopathy, we postulate a patchy microvascular thrombotic plexopathy. Providers should be aware of this significant and potentially under-recognised neurologic complication of COVID-19. |
DOI | 10.1136/bcr-2020-237459 |
Alternate Journal | BMJ Case Rep |
PubMed ID | 33766961 |