703 Parsonage Turner Syndrome After COVID-19 Vaccination – a Systematic Review

Abstract

Abstract Aim Parsonage Turner Syndrome (PTS) is a rare acute neuritis usually reported after an antecedent event like surgery, infection, trauma, medication or immunisation. PTS presents as sudden, often unilateral, severe shoulder pain with progressive weakness and altered neurology. The global mass COVID vaccine program has resulted in increased reporting of post-vaccine PTS. The aim of this review is to report the outcomes of PTS after COVID-19 vaccination. Method A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA statement. An electronic search was performed on Medline, PubMed, Embase and CINAHL databases using the keywords ‘COVID-19’, ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Parsonage Turner Syndrome’, ‘Brachial neuritis’, ‘Neuralgic Amyotrophy’, ‘Vaccine’, ‘Immunisation’ and ‘Shoulder’. Results 16 articles with a total of 35 patients, 24 males and 11 females, were reviewed. The mean age was 52 years. The median time to develop symptoms was 7 days, with 69% patients reporting ipsilateral symptoms to the vaccinated arm. 91% patients presented with sensory and motor symptoms. MRI scan was normal in 26% while denervation muscle oedema was present in 20%. 37% patients were treated with physiotherapy and rest, while 63% received steroid therapy. 23% showed no improvement while 69% showed partial or complete improvement. The mean follow-up time was 3 months (range one week to six months). Conclusions PTS is a rare complication described with vaccines like influenza, tetanus and hepatitis. PTS is also associated with the COVID vaccine. The limited reports suggest the treatment and recovery are consistent with that for other aetiology. This complication is not a reason to avoid the COVID vaccine.