New-Onset Neurologic Symptoms and Related Neuro-Oncologic Lesions Discovered After COVID-19 Vaccination: Two Neurosurgical Cases and Review of Post-Vaccine Inflammatory Responses
Evan Hy Einstein, Andia Shahzadi, Likowsky L Désir, Joshua Katz, John A. Boockvar, Randy S. D’Amico
Abstract
A global effort is underway to distribute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines to limit the crisis. Although adverse events related to vaccination are rare, there have been cases of new-onset neurologic symptoms following vaccination. We present two cases of new-onset neurologic symptoms post-vaccination that, upon further workup, revealed two different neuro-oncologic processes requiring neurosurgical intervention and further treatment. We hypothesize that despite these processes being unrelated to vaccination, the COVID-19 vaccines may induce an inflammatory cascade with the ability to uncover underlying sinister pathology. Our report therefore emphasizes the need for careful evaluation in the setting of new-onset neurologic symptoms after COVID-19 vaccination.