Parsonage-Turner syndrome following chikungunya virus infection: A case report

Abstract

Rationale: Parsonage-Turner syndrome is a rare syndrome of unknown etiology, affecting mainly the lower motor neurons of the brachial plexus. Chikungunya fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease characterized by acute fever and polyarthritis/polyarthralgia. Patient concerns: A 54-year-old Brazilian male patient who presented with a 2-day history of fever (temperature 38.8 °C), arthralgia, erythematous rash, diffuse osteomuscular pain and headache, which evolved into left shoulder pain associated with morning stiffness. Diagnosis: Parsonage-Turner syndrome and chikungunya fever. Interventions: Symptomatic treatment (a combination of short-acting dypirone (500 mg every 6 h) and slow-release opioids (tramadol 100 mg every 4 h) and physiotherapy/rehabilitation with improvement. Outcomes: The patient was improved and discharged, remaining with symptomatic treatment and physiotherapy/rehabilitation. Lessons: To the best of our knowledge, there were no reports of Parsonage-Turner syndrome following chikungunya virus infection. Awareness of the possibility of this rare association is important. The present case report highlights the importance of awareness of this association as a new cause of morbidity in patients with chikungunya virus infection.