A Case of Refractory Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis after Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Vaccination in a Japanese Man

Noriyuki Miyaue; Akira Yoshida; Yuki Yamanishi; Satoshi Tada; Rina Ando; Yuko Hosokawa; Hayato Yabe; Masahiro Nagai

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.8747-21

This article has now been updated. Please use the final version.

A Case of Refractory Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis after Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Vaccination in a Japanese Man

Noriyuki Miyaue, Akira Yoshida, Yuki Yamanishi, Satoshi Tada, Rina Ando, Yuko Hosokawa, Hayato Yabe, Masahiro Nagai

Author information

Noriyuki Miyaue
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
Akira Yoshida
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
Yuki Yamanishi
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
Satoshi Tada
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
Rina Ando
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
Yuko Hosokawa
Department of Neurology, Saiseikai Matsuyama Hospital, Japan
Hayato Yabe
Department of Neurology, Saiseikai Matsuyama Hospital, Japan
Masahiro Nagai
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan

Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, vaccine, longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis, transverse myelitis, adverse event following immunization

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS Advance online publication

Article ID: 8747-21

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.8747-21

The final version of this article is now available: Vol. 61 (2022), No. 5 pp. 739-742

Details

Abstract

Vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been developed and administered worldwide. There have been reports of neurological adverse events following immunization (AEFIs). We herein report a case of refractory longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis in a 75-year-old Japanese man following the first dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine. The patient developed total sensory loss below the umbilicus and complete paralysis in both legs. Although he was treated with steroid therapy and plasma exchange, his recovery was limited, and severe sequelae remained. Further studies, including large epidemiological studies, are required to understand the association between SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and neurological AEFI.

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