Post COVID cerebellitis

• Published in: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry Vol. 94; no. Suppl 1; p. A55
• Main Authors: Hamza, Ali, Aamir, Khan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 23.11.2023; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Association of British Neurologists: Annual Meeting Abstracts 2023
• ISSN: 0022-3050; 1468-330X
• DOI: 10.1136/JNNP-2023-ABN.168

IntroductionCerebellitis is a rare condition and is mainly associated with preceding illness, mainly viral. Following is a case report of a young patient who presented with seizures, cerebellar signs following COVID-19 infection.Description27-year-old boy, otherwise generally of good health, presented with 3 days history of high grade fever, reduced consciousness and seizures. Initial MRI showed obstructive hydrocephalus and was moved to tertiary neurosurgery centre to have external ventricular drainage. Post drain, alertness improved but noted to have continuous head bobbing, dysarthric speech, resting and postural tremor and positive cerebellar signs with vertical nystagmus.Repeat MRI brain showed signs consistent with cerebellitis. Tests to rule out other causes of cerebellitis including EBV, viral screen, CT thorax abdomen and pelvis, CSF viral screen were negative. Other sources of infections including chest, urine, abdomen ruled out. Treated as post covid cerebellitis and given short course of IV steroids.ConclusionCerebellitis can present as a complication of covid 19 and should be considered as one of the differentials of CNS effects of COVID infection, especially in someone with cerebellar signs.