Shoulder Pseudo-Tumor from COVID-19 Vaccine

Abstract

Hypersensitivity reactions to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines were identified in the initial 2020 trials. Appearance of a soft tissue mass is a rare manifestation of this hypersensitivity reaction. In this patient, bilateral injections resulted in the appearance of shoulder masses. Magnetic resonance imaging showed localized pseudo-tumorous edema in both shoulders, one subcutaneous and the other intramuscular. This is only the second case of a mass-like reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine mimicking a possible soft tissue neoplasm. Improper vaccination administration technique may have contributed to this complication. The case is presented to increase awareness of this potential pseudotumor.

Keywords

• SARS-CoV-2
• education
• orthopedics
• COVID-19
• vaccine
• tumor