Leukoencephalopathy Associated with Severe COVID-19 Infection: Sequela of Hypoxemia?

• DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a6671
• Publication Date: 2020-06-25T20:09:31Z
• Authors: M. Lang; K. Buch; M.D. Li; W.A. Mehan; A.L. Lang; T.M. Leslie-Mazwi; S.P. Rincon
• Keywords: Male; SARS-CoV-2; Critical Illness; Pneumonia, Viral; COVID-19; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; Betacoronavirus; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Leukoencephalopathies; Disease Progression; Humans; Female; Coronavirus Infections; Hypoxia; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Pandemics; Aged

There is increasing evidence to suggest that complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection are not only limited to the pulmonary system but can also involve the central nervous system. Here, we report 6 critically ill patients with COVID-19 infection and neuroimaging findings of leukoencephalopathy. While these findings are nonspecific, we postulate that they may be a delayed response to the profound hypoxemia the patients experienced due to the infection. No abnormal enhancement, hemorrhage, or perfusion abnormalities were noted on MR imaging. In addition, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 was not detected in the CSF collected from the 2 patients who underwent lumbar puncture. Recognition of COVID-19-related leukoencephalopathy is important for appropriate clinical management, disposition, and prognosis.