Objective: To describe a case report that developed acute cerebellar ataxia a short time after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

Background: The COVID-19 infection has a wide spectrum of symptoms, mainly including respiratory symptoms. Different neurological symptoms are more and more recognized as being part of the spectrum of manifestations. Cerebellar ataxia post-COVID-19 infection has been reported in few cases.

Method: Case report

Results: A 66-year-old man with a history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and recent infection with SARS-COV-2, presented at ER Department for walking difficulties, unsteady gait, and frequent falling. The last fall led to a thoracoabdominal contusion on the right side. These symptoms began with 3 days before presentation to ER.
Neurological examination showed bilateral hypometria of the lower extremity (heel-to-shin test), axial ataxia, broad based walking (walking was possible only with unilateral support), absent lower extremity tendon reflexes, normal plantar responses, no sensory abnormalities and no oculomotor disturbancies.
Cranial CT examination ruled out hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke. Chest CT showed areas of ground-glass opacities, suggestive for COVID-19 infection (the patient was previously treated for COVID-19). Later on, the patient performed a cranial IRM who revealed a left thalamic lacunar infarct, nonspecific parietal demyelinating lesion and cerebral atrophy. Cervical spine IRM showed cervical spondylodiscarthrosis.

Conclusion: We interpreted the patient’s neurological condition of cerebellar dysfunction as being a result of COVID-19 infection. Under treatment with corticosteroids, pacient’s ataxia has considerably improved.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/acute-cerebellar-ataxia-as-a-possible-post-covid-19-manifestation-case-report/