How can neuroimaging help in the diagnosis of movement disorders?
The main role of computed axial tomography in the field of movement disorders was to exclude uncommon but potentially reversible structural abnormalities including tumors, chronic subdural hematoma, and communicating hydrocephalus presenting with parkinsonism. In the past 20 years magnetic resonance has had greater impact in facilitating accurate diagnosis but its clinical usefulness is less than in some other neurologic fields. Dopamine transporter SPECT imaging is helpful in distinguishing benign tremulous Parkinson disease from atypical tremor syndromes and other clinical scenarios where the demonstration of nigrostriatal dopamine denervation is helpful. We use eight case vignettes to illustrate how MR imaging findings can assist in the diagnosis of movement disorders and, in some cases, change the course of patient management.
Ling
Helen
H
Reta Lila Weston Institute of Neurological Studies, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
Lees
Andrew J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
D050483:Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins