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Review
. 2022 Dec 15;47(1):1-6.
doi: 10.1080/01658107.2022.2128378. eCollection 2023.

Opsoclonus Myoclonus Ataxia Syndrome Due to SARS-CoV-2

Josef Finsterer  1 , Fulvio A Scorza  2
Affiliations
Review

Opsoclonus Myoclonus Ataxia Syndrome Due to SARS-CoV-2

Josef Finsterer et al. Neuroophthalmology. .

Abstract

Opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome (OMS)/opsoclonus myoclonus ataxia syndrome (OMAS), also known as Kinsbourne's syndrome or 'dancing eyes-dancing feet' syndrome, is a rare central nervous system manifestation of COVID-19 but an increasing number of articles have reported patients in whom COVID-19 was complicated by OMS/OMAS. This narrative review aims at summarising and discussing current knowledge about the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 associated OMS/OMAS. Altogether, 29 articles reporting 45 patients with SARS-CoV-2 associated OMS/OMAS were retrieved. Their ages ranged from 2 to 88 years. Three patients were children and the remainder adults. Gender was male in 32 patients and female in 13 patients. Opsoclonus was described in 29 patients, which was associated with myoclonus in 28 cases. Myoclonus was described in 43 patients, which was associated with opsoclonus and ataxia in 18 patients. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid investigations were not informative in the majority of the cases. OMS/OMAS was treated with steroids in 28 patients and with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in 15 patients. Clonazepam was given to 18 patients, levetiracetam to 13 patients, and sodium valproate to eight patients. Complete recovery was achieved in 12 cases and incomplete recovery in 22 cases. Diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 associated OMS/OMAS requires extensive neurological work up and exclusion of various differentials. SARS-CoV-2 associated OMS/OMAS may not always present with the full spectrum of manifestations but as an abortive syndrome. OMS/OMAS should not be missed as it usually responds favourably to steroids or IVIG.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; complications; myoclonus; neuro-COVID; opsoclonus.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

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