Magnetic resonance imaging features of COVID-19-related cranial nerve lesions

The complete features of the neurological complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) still need to be elucidated, including associated cranial nerve involvement. In the present study we describe cranial nerve lesions seen in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of six cases of confirmed COVID-19, involving the olfactory bulb, optic nerve, abducens nerve, and facial nerve. Cranial nerve involvement was associated with COVID-19, but whether by direct viral invasion or autoimmunity needs to be clarified. The development of neurological symptoms after initial respiratory symptoms and the absence of the virus in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) suggest the possibility of autoimmunity.

Automated summary

The study describes cranial nerve lesions in six confirmed COVID-19 cases seen on MRI, indicating a possible autoimmune cause due to the absence of the virus in the cerebrospinal fluid and the development of neurological symptoms after initial respiratory symptoms.