COVID-19 Vaccine-induced Parsonage-turner Syndrome: A Case Study

The risk of neurological adverse effects is present in all contemporary vaccines. Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS), an uncommon peripheral nerve condition associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) immunization, has been reported in only a few cases. A concise literature review and the case of a 78-year-old male with no recent trauma or infection presented with chest pain and bilateral hand weakness following COVID-19 vaccination. 21 days following the initial dose, the patient received a second dose of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine three weeks before the onset of symptoms. The physical examination revealed significant weakness in the right-hand grasp and wrist flexion. The diagnostic workup revealed no underlying diabetes mellitus, infections, or other autoimmune diseases. The bilateral first dorsal interosseous and right deltoid, biceps, and triceps muscles exhibited decreased motor unit recruitment in nerve conduction investigations, including needle electromyography, confirming PTS. Occupational therapy and oral prednisone were administered to preserve the patient's range of motion. The pathophysiology and etiology of PTS are not entirely comprehended. Various factors, including genetic, environmental, and immunological predisposition, may contribute to the development of the syndrome. Infections, vaccines, and injuries are the most common causes of non-hereditary forms. No test can definitively corroborate or disprove the existence of PTS. Imaging modalities and electrodiagnostic studies are instrumental in eliminating alternative differential diagnoses.