The main changes in neuroradiology of patients with Covid-19: an integrative review

Abstract

Covid-19 is a viral disease, caused by SARS-CoV-2, with a cyclical epidemiological behavior, causing systemic complications, mainly in the neurological field. In these cases, the patient needs to be evaluated clinically and by complementary exams, such as brain computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the last  years, efforts have been made in order to clarify molecular mechanisms involved in this disease. Several studies have demonstrated the importance and variety of neuroimaging findings, most of which point to alterations related to hemorrhagic, inflammatory and prothrombotic events,  bringing an increased risk of death. The aim of this review was to gather the recent evidence by imaging approach on the neurological early and long term risks especially those involved with unfavorable clinical damage, presence of comorbidities and invasive procedures. The present data indicates that Infection with SARS-CoV-2 brought a diversity of neurological changes in adults and the elderly, with long-term effects on the cognition. However, special interest and investigation needs to be given to the neonatal and pediatric cases, due to the inherent risks of the disease, development of systemic inflammatory syndromes and reported deaths.