Guillain-Barré Syndrome-like Neurological Symptoms after COVID-19 Vaccination Treated with Traditional Korean Medicine: A Case Report

Abstract

Objective: To report a clinical case of Guillain-Barré syndrome-like neurological symptoms, including limb weakness, phantosmia, and nausea/vomiting after COVID-19 vaccination (AstraZeneca) that was improved by traditional Korean medicine (TKM) treatment.Methods: A 73-year-old male complained of extreme limb weakness, severe phantosmia, and nausea/vomiting after COVID-19 vaccination. No abnormalities had appeared in various radiological and laboratory tests, but the symptoms had continued to worsen for three months before visiting our clinic.Results: The patient was diagnosed with neurological complications suspicious of Guillain-Barré syndrome after COVID-19 vaccination. The patient was treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal drugs (Banhabakchulchunma-tang), and nasal inhalation therapy with Aquilariae Lignum. Three weeks after Korean medicine treatment, his neurological symptoms had improved. Nausea/vomiting and phantosmia continued to show improvement, and muscle strength was gradually recovered in both lower limbs.Conclusion: Traditional Korean medicine could be a choice for the treatment of neurological complications after COVID-19 vaccination.