Author/Authors :
Mehrbod, Noushin Department of Neurology , Chitsaz, Ahmad Department of Neurology , Saadatnia, Mohammad Medical Student’s Research Center , Fereidan‑Esfahani, Mahboobeh Medical Student’s Research Center , Abtahi, Hossein Medical Student’s Research Center , Akbari, Mojtaba Department of Epidemiology - School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan
Abstract :
The study on transcranial sonocraphy (TCS) as a diagnostic test for Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been neglected in
some hospitals. The current study was conducted as the first study to investigate the utility of TCS for diagnosis of PD and its ability
to distinguish PD from essential tremor (ET) in an Iranian population. Materials and Methods: TCS of substantia nigra (SN) was
performed on 50 PD, 48 ET, and 50 healthy controls by two blinded investigators. Results: Bilateral SN margin over 0.20 cm2 was
found in 39 (90%) and 7 (15%) in PD and ET patients, respectively. Furthermore, 4 (8%) of healthy control displayed this particular
echo feature as well (false positives). SN hyperechogenicity ≥0.20 cm2 was considered as a cut‑off point to detected PD. Accordingly,
TCS proved 90% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 77.85‑97.35) sensitive and 92% (95% CI: 80.75‑97.73) specific for the detection of
PD by visualizing the SN. Conclusion: SN hyperechogenicity ≥20 cm2 is a specific feature of PD. Since, the symptoms of PD and ET
might be overlapping; this method seems to be reliable to confirm PD diagnosis in doubtful clinical cases. Further studies in years
to come are warranted to shed light on standardized data for Iranian to enhance the validity of TCS.
