Encephalopathy and Cytotoxic Lesion of the Corpus Callosum Associated with Cytokine Storm in COVID-19: A Case Report

Abstract

One hypothesis is that the activation of innate immunity and release of cytokines breaks down the blood brain barrier (BBB) and causes neuroinflammation. Here, I present a case of COVID-19 associated MIS-C (multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children) with neurological complications manifesting as encephalopathy and a cytotoxic lesion of the corpus callosum (CLOCC) on the brain MRI, in association with extremely elevated levels of circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6), and soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL2R).