A rare clinical presentation of COVID 19: opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome

Adalet Altunsoy; Nizamettin Kemirtlek; Halime Araz; Ebru Bilge Dirik; Esragül Akıncı

doi:10.3855/jidc.17927

A rare clinical presentation of COVID 19: opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome

Authors

Adalet Altunsoy University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Medical School, Ankara, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8850-2475
Nizamettin Kemirtlek Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Halime Araz Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4774-5950
Ebru Bilge Dirik Department of Neurology, Ankara City Hospital, Turkey
Esragül Akıncı University of Health Sciences, Gulhane Medical School, Ankara, Turkey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.17927

Keywords:

COVID-19, opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome, corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, IVIG

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can have symptoms like many neurological diseases, and one of the rare forms of these presentations is opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome (OMAS). The pathogenesis of OMAS in adults has not been clearly elucidated and OMAS can be fatal.

Case presentation: We present a 71-year-old male patient who was admitted to the emergency department with complaints of involuntary tremor-like movements in his hands, feet and mouth, and speech impediment for three days, and was followed up with COVID-19. The patient was diagnosed with OMAS and clonazepam treatment was started. He died three days later due to respiratory arrest. Our case is the first case diagnosed with COVID-19-associated OMAS in Turkey.

Discussion: OMAS has no definitive treatment. Early diagnosis and initiation of corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, if necessary, can be life-saving. In COVID-19 patients with unexplained clinical findings, awareness of different and rare diseases and a multidisciplinary approach has vital importance.

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Published

2024-02-29

How to Cite

Altunsoy A, Kemirtlek N, Araz H, Dirik EB, Akıncı E (2024) A rare clinical presentation of COVID 19: opsoclonus-myoclonus ataxia syndrome. J Infect Dev Ctries 18:188–194. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17927

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Issue

Vol. 18 No. 02: February 2024

Section

Coronavirus Pandemic

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