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Case report
Generalised myoclonus associated with COVID-19 infection
  1. Aatma Ram1,
  2. Hafiz Jeelani1,
  3. Dilpat Kumar2 and
  4. Heeren Patel3
  1. 1Internal Medicine, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Mchenry, Illinois, USA
  2. 2Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
  3. 3Neurology, Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, McHenry, Illinois, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Aatma Ram; aatma.ram{at}rosalindfranklin.edu

Abstract

Postinfectious generalised myoclonus has been reported after many viral and bacterial infections in the past. Recently, some case reports have described it in the context of COVID-19 infection. Most patients described in these case reports are either critically ill and intubated or have concurrent respiratory symptoms. Herein, we present a case of a 79-year-old man, who was recovering from a recent COVID-19 infection, presented with isolated generalised myoclonus. The patient was treated with levetiracetam, a short course (10 days) of dexamethasone, and required extensive rehabilitation. Outpatient follow-up at 2 months suggested complete resolution of symptoms and levetiracetam was subsequently discontinued. This case highlights that generalised myoclonus can occur as a delayed complication of COVID-19 infection.

  • COVID-19
  • infections
  • movement disorders (other than Parkinsons)
  • physiotherapy (rehabilitation)
  • neurology (drugs and medicines)

This article is made freely available for use in accordance with BMJ’s website terms and conditions for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic or until otherwise determined by BMJ. You may use, download and print the article for any lawful, non-commercial purpose (including text and data mining) provided that all copyright notices and trade marks are retained.

https://bmj.com/coronavirus/usage

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2021-243780

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors All listed authors worked with the patient to ensure the accuracy of the information listed in the article. With regards to the contribution, AR worked on the conception of the idea and acquisition of the data. AR and HJ wrote and revised the manuscript. DK and HP edited and reviewed the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.