J Korean Med Sci.  2022 Feb;37(7):e52. 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e52.

Case Reports of Acute Transverse Myelitis Associated With mRNA Vaccine for COVID-19

• Eom H
• Kim SW
• Kim M
• Kim YE
• Kim JH
• Shin HY
• Lee HL

• KMID: 2526515
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e52

Abstract

Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) has been reported as rare complication of vaccination. Herein, we report 2 cases of ATM after the administration of an mRNA vaccine for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The first one is an 81-year-old man who received the BNT162b2 vaccine. He presented with bilateral hand weakness. Spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed high signal intensity from the C1 to C3 vertebrae. The second is a 23-year-old woman who received the BNT162b2 vaccine and experienced tingling in her legs. Spine MRI showed a high signal intensity lesion at the conus medullaris. These patients were treated with intravenous methylprednisolone and their symptoms improved slightly. Careful follow-up is needed to identify adverse events after the administration of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19.

Keyword

Transverse Myelitis; COVID-19 Vaccine; mRNA Vaccine; CNS Demyelinating Disease

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) Spine MRI showing high signal intensity and multifocal nodular enhancement with an ill-defined signal increase on T2-weighted images from the C1 to C3 vertebrae. (B) Spine MRI showing a high signal intensity lesion without contrast enhancement at the anterior portion of the conus medullaris on T2-weighted images.MRI = magnetic resonance imaging.

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