Hyperechogenicity of the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease.
Substantia nigra (SN) was assessed by transcranial sonography (TCS) in 47 Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and in 39 healthy volunteers. A semiquantitative echogenicity scale was created with arbitrary values ranging from 1 to 5, zones with grade >or=3 and larger than 0.19 cm(2) were recorded as hyperechogenic SN. TCS examination of SN as a diagnostic test for PD in our study showed 87.2% sensitivity and 94.9% specificity.
Ressner
Pavel
P
Department of Neurology, Palacky University Medical School and University Hospital, Olomouc, Czech Republic. pavel.ressner@seznam.cz
Skoloudík
David
D
Hlustík
Petr
P
Kanovský
Petr
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / Q000379:methods*