Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in neurology and neurosurgery: A scoping review of the early literature

•Pre-existing cerebrovascular disease may be a risk factor for poor outcome in patients infected with COVID-19.•COVID-19 infection can manifest as headache, dizziness, anosmia, altered level of consciousness, acute cerebrovascular events, seizure(s), and/or ataxia.•COVID-19 related viral encephalitis +/- hemorrhagic necrosis of mesial brain structures including the mesial temporal lobes and thalami have been reported.•Long-term neurodegenerative effects of COVID-19 have yet to be elucidated, but are theorized based on past experience with other beta-coronaviruses.•Neurology and neurosurgical practice patterns are dramatically changing and require frequent modification. Early experiences and recommendations are provided. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a devastating respiratory illness that has dramatically changed the medical landscape around the world. In parallel with a rise in the number of cases globally, the COVID-19 literature has rapidly expanded with experts around the world disseminating knowledge and collaborating on best practices. To date, the literature has predominantly consisted of case reports, case series, and systemic protocols for dealing with this deadly disease from a plethora of specialties with larger observational and randomized studies only now starting to emerge. This scoping review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Library aims to evaluate and summarize the current status of the COVID-19 literature at it applies to neurology and neurosurgery. Neurological symptomatology, neurological risk factors for poor prognosis, pathophysiology for neuroinvasion, and actions taken by neurological or neurosurgical services to manage the current COVID-19 crisis are reviewed.