Neuroimaging Findings in Patients With COVID-19

COVID-19 can present as neurological symptoms such as anosmia, headache, taste perversion, dizziness, syncope, and altered state of consciousness. It has been reported in previous studies that thromboembolic ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes associated with COVID-19 have been observed in the early period. It has been suggested that conditions characterized by neurological sequelae, such as encephalitis and encephalopathy, ataxic seizures, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), demyelinating diseases, and neuromuscular disorders may occur in the longer term.In the present study, the investigators aimed to reveal the findings of neuroimaging analyses performed in patients followed up with a diagnosis of COVID-19 who had neurological symptoms, discuss the relationship of these findings with laboratory and epidemiological data, and emphasize that CNS involvement in these patients should not be overlooked. In this study, 436 patients with COVID-19 who underwent at least one neuroimaging procedure during April 2020-December 2020 due to neurological symptoms and whose diagnosis was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction test were included. Although computed tomography was predominantly used for imaging, magnetic resonance imaging was also used when necessary. The patients were grouped based on imaging findings, and statistical evaluations were made between the groups.

Inclusion criteria

• COVID-19 RT-PCR positivity-
• older than 18 years old

Exclusion criteria

• younger than 18 years old