Retrospective Observational Study of Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Patients with Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Neurological Manifestations

BACKGROUND: This study provides a detailed imaging assessment in a large series of COVID-19 patients with neurological manifestations. PURPOSE: To review the MRI findings associated with acute neurological manifestations in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between March 23 and May 7, 2020 at the Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, a reference center for COVID-19 in the Paris area. Inclusion criteria were: adult patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection, presenting with acute neurological manifestations and referred for a brain MRI examination. Patients were excluded if they had a previous history of neurological disease. The characteristics and the frequency of different MRI features were investigated. The findings were analyzed separately in patients in intensive care units (ICU) and other departments (non-ICU). RESULTS: During the inclusion period, 1176 consecutive patients were hospitalized for suspected COVID-19. Out of 308 patients with acute neurological symptoms, 73 patients met the inclusion criteria (23.7%) and were included: 35 ICU patients (47.9%) and 38 non-ICU patients (52.1%). The mean age was 58.5 ± 15.6 years, with a male predominance (65.8% vs. 34.2%). Forty-three patients presented pathological MRI findings 2-4 weeks after symptom onset (58.9%), including 17 with acute ischemic infarct (23.3%), 1 with a deep venous thrombosis (1.4%), 8 with multiple microhemorrhages (11.3%), 22 with perfusion abnormalities (47.7%), 3 with restricted diffusion foci within the corpus callosum consistent with cytotoxic lesions of the corpus callosum (CLOCC, 4.1%). Multifocal white matter enhancing lesions were seen in 4 ICU patients (5%). Basal ganglia abnormalities were seen in 4 other patients (5%). The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was negative for SARS-CoV-2 in all tested patients (n=39). CONCLUSION: In addition to cerebrovascular lesions, perfusion abnormalities, CLOCC and ICU-related complications, we identified two patterns including white matter enhancing lesions and basal ganglia abnormalities that could be related to SARS-CoV-2 infection.