SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Associated Transverse Myelitis: A Case Report

Abstract

While policy makers around the globe have meticulously organised mass immunisation against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), its safety concerns and adverse events that need prompt evaluation are also emerging. Acute Transverse Myelitis (TM) is a rare neurological phenomenon where motor, sensory or autonomic disturbance occurs as a result of spinal cord injury. The aetiology of transverse myelitis is thought to be immune-mediated as a result of infection, parainfectious disorder, autoimmune disease or malignancy. Though a rare disease, acute TM warrants prompt recognition and aggressive therapy for favourable neurological patient outcomes. Hereby, authors presented this case of a 61-year-old male patient who developed symptoms of acute TM, 20 days after receiving an adenovirus vectored ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. The patient was treated with intravenous steroids, supportive care with Foley’s catheterisation and his weakness and bladder control improved over 1 week.

Keywords

• adverse reactions
• coronavirus
• immunisation
• severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2