Peripheral Facial Paresis and COVID-19 Case Report

Abstract

Among the neurological complications that occurred during Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, peripheral facial paresis is one of the conditions that can occur both during and after the Severe Acute Respiratory Tract Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection period. We present the case of a young man, aged 29 years, who presented the appearance of a peripheral facial paresis on the 14th day after the onset of symptoms, isolation and PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patient was evaluated clinically, neurologically, underwent laboratory tests, EKG, chest Radiography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)/Magnetic resonance Angiography (MRA) and received corticotherapy, gastric antisecretory medication, antiviral medication, vitamin B group, neurotrophic medication and facial gymnastics, with good evolution and complete remission of clinical symptoms after 21 days. It is particularly important to carefully evaluate patients during the isolation period, symptomatic/asymptomatic for COVID-19 infection, as a possible complication could be peripheral facial paresis, which is why, we should evaluate, detect and treat early to reduce any persistent long-term neurological effects. Future studies are needed to identify and correlate peripheral facial paresis with SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as to detect the causes of neurological complications during or after COVID-19 infection.