Cranial nerve involvement in COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction The COVID-19 disease emerged in Wuhan province of China in November 2019 and spread across the world in a short time, resulting in a pandemic. The first case in Turkey was detected on March 11, 2020. The aim of the current study was to reveal the effects of COVID-19 on cranial nerves by monitoring people infected with the disease based on repeated examinations and surveys. Material and method The data of 356 patients with a positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test who received treatment between June 2020 and August 2020 in our hospital were prospectively evaluated after the study was approved by the relevant ethics committee. Results Of the 356 patients included in the study, 47 under the age of 18 years were excluded due to their unreliable examination and anamnesis findings. In addition, seven patients that died while in hospital were excluded from the study due to the lack of examination and survey records during their hospitalization. The data of the remaining 302 patients were statistically analyzed. Symptoms of cranial nerve involvement were observed in 135 patients. Conclusion The COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus commonly results in cranial nerve symptoms. The fact that these findings are more common and severe in COVID-19 than previous SARS and MERS outbreaks suggests that it has a more neurotrophic and more aggressive neuroinvasion. While the negative effects of the virus on sensory functions resulting from cranial nerve involvement are evident, motor functions are rarely affected.

Prevalence of dysphonia due to COVID-19 at Salahaddin General Hospital, Tikrit City, Iraq

“…Researchers from Europe have reported a high prevalence of dysphonia due to COVID-19 disease with a prevalence of 26.8% by Lechien et al and 43.7% by Cantarella et al [ 5 , 6 ]. However, scarce studies, mainly in form of case reports or low prevalence of dysphonia, were reported from other parts of the world [ [7] , [8] , [9] ]. Consistently with these observations, this research was aimed to determine the prevalence of dysphonia in patients with COVID-19 disease and to assess the demographic, clinical, and outcome of these subjects.…”

Otoneurological presentations of COVID-19

“…19 Direct neuroinvasion may occur by the virus entering the cell using ACE-2 receptors. 20 On the other hand, in indirect mechanism, SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers the immune system, stimulating production of a plethora of antibodies. Some of which may have autoimmune properties towards neural proteins, causing parainfectious or postinfectious immune-mediated nerve injury.…”

Bilateral Abducens Nerve Palsy and the possible Association with COVID-19: A Case Report

“…[1] The incubation period of COVID-19 is around five days in the initial stage of the disease, and although the most common complaints are fever, cough, myalgia, headache, and joint pain, patients can also present with many different symptoms, including taste and smell disorders, diarrhea, and weakness. [2] The COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus commonly results in cranial nerve symptoms. The fact that these findings are more common and severe in COVID-19 than previous SARS and MERS outbreaks suggests that it has a more neurotrophic and more aggressive neuroinvasion.…”

“…The fact that these findings are more common and severe in COVID-19 than previous SARS and MERS outbreaks suggests that it has a more neurotrophic and more aggressive neuroinvasion. [2] In this context, we aimed to discuss a case report of acute isolated bilateral abducens nerve palsy following SARS-CoV-2 infection. All patients gave informed consent for the publication of their case details and any accompanying images.…”