SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination-Induced Transverse Myelitis

Abstract

While mass immunization against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rolls out around the globe, safety concerns and adverse events that need prompt evaluation are also emerging. We report a case of transverse myelitis and Bell's palsy after receiving Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccination under the emergency use authorization in a healthy young woman with no past medical history. Other possible etiologies of her symptoms were ruled out, and she was treated successfully with steroids and plasma exchange.

Keywords: bells palsy; covid 19; covid 19 vaccine; longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis; sars-cov-2; urinary retention.

Figure 1. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical and upper thoracic spine with and without contrast showing a long segment of increased T2 signal within the central spinal cord extending at least from the C2-3 segment into the visualized thoracic spine (arrow).

Figure 2. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical and upper thoracic spine with and without contrast showing a decreased T2 signal intensity of the cervical and upper thoracic region spinal cord, due to improving transverse myelitis after high-dose methylprednisolone therapy and plasmapheresis (arrow).