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Abstract Details

Opsoclonus-Myoclonus-Ataxia Syndrome (OMAS) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection: post-infectious neurological complication with benign prognosis
Movement Disorders
Movement Disorders Posters (7:00 AM-5:00 PM)
020

Etiology of Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome (OMAS) is multifactorial. This is a case of OMAS secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the clinical presentation suggests a post-infectious mechanism, possibly antibody-mediated.  This case was seen on March 2020, at the beginning of this pandemic, and becomes a novel condition of the COVID-19 infection. 

SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) is the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports from China have described ataxia and tremor as neurological symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, but no OMAS.  Opsoclonus is a rare phenomenon of combined multidirectional, involuntary, arrhythmic and chaotic saccadic oscillations, without an intersaccadic interval; myoclonus refers to brief, involuntary, irregular muscle contractions. 

We describe a novel case of post-infectious OMAS with benign prognosis.

A 32 year-old man presented with cough, fever, weakness, and loss of appetite. He denied changes in smell or taste. His father had similar symptoms 5 days earlier, and both tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. He developed increasing fatigue and dyspnea, but denied wheezing or chest tightness. He had watery, non-bloody diarrhea throughout the febrile period, until his cough improved and he became afebrile 11 days after diagnosis. On day 12 he developed “tremors” and ataxia; the former confirmed as myoclonus on exam 2 days later. While hospitalized on days 17 to 20, evaluation revealed a chest x-ray consistent with viral pneumonia, and normal brain MRI. IgG antibodies were positive. Opsoclonus, myoclonus and ataxia (Videos 1 and 2) caused inability to ambulate without assistance. Initial treatment was effective and he was able to walk short distances without assistance. Telehealth follow-up on day 24 demonstrated substantial improvement of gait and balance (Video 3). No opsoclonus was observed, and he demonstrated only very mild ataxia and occasional myoclonus.

This is a novel relation with SARS-CoV-2 infection, and needs to be included in the differential diagnosis 

Authors/Disclosures
Enrique Urrea-Mendoza, MD
PRESENTER
Dr. Urrea-Mendoza has nothing to disclose.
No disclosure on file
No disclosure on file
John R. Absher, MD, FÂé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­ (Univ. SC SOM, Greenville) Dr. Absher has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Rehabilitation Alternative Services, Inc.. Dr. Absher has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Butler, Means, Evins and Browne, P.A..
Varun P. Chaubal, MD Dr. Chaubal has nothing to disclose.
Fredy J. Revilla, MD, FÂé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­ (Neuroscience Associates) Dr. Revilla has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for TEVA . Dr. Revilla has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for TEVA .