COVID-19-Associated Cytotoxic Lesions of the Corpus Callosum

Abstract

There are very limited published data on the neurologic complications associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the pediatric population. Here we present the first 2 pediatric cases of presumed COVID-19 related cytotoxic lesions of the corpus callosum. Similar to reports in adults, these cases suggest that the COVID-19 infection in children may rarely mediate a hyperinflammatory response that can cause CNS pathology. As the pandemic continues further, the presentation of cytotoxic lesions of the corpus callosum should prompt radiologists to consider COVID-19, among other known causes.

FIG 1.

Axial MR images demonstrate an oval T2-weighted hyperintensity in the splenium of the corpus callosum (A) with associated restricted diffusion on the DWI (B) and ADC maps (C).

FIG 2.

Axial MR images demonstrate T2-weighted hyperintensity in the splenium and genu of the corpus callosum (A) and symmetrically in the deep cerebral white matter (B) with associated restricted diffusion on the DWI (B and E) and ADC maps (C and F).