Polyneuritis Cranialis Associated with BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in a Healthy Adolescent

Abstract

A 16-year-old Thai girl developed right facial palsy, a lower motor neuron lesion, and numbness 3 h after receiving the first dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. Neurological examination showed the involvement of the right cranial nerves (CN) V, VII, IX, and X. Electrophysiological tests revealed the absence of an F wave response, suggesting a proximal demyelinating process. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain demonstrated abnormal enhancement of the right CN VII. The cerebrospinal fluid profile on day 7 after the onset of symptoms was normal. The patient was diagnosed with polyneuritis cranialis, a rare variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome. She was successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.

Keywords

• BNT162b2
• COVID-19 vaccination
• multiple cranial neuropathies
• polyneuritis cranialis