ABSTRACT
Background: The detection of hyperechogenicity of the substantia nigra using trans cranial sonography can bepredictive ofthe diagnosis of Parkinson Disease. Aim: To report an experience with transcranial sonography for the diagnosis of Parkinson disease. Material ana Methods: One hundred sixteen patients with movement disorders were subjected to a transcranial sonograpy to detect the presence ofhyper-chogenicity of the substantia nigra and basal ganglia. Afterwards, two physicians, unaware ofthe results ofthe sonography, examined the patients and reached a clinical diagnosis. The concordance between ultrasound results and the clinical diagnosis was analyzed. Results: In 64 patients, a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson disease was reached. Ofthese, 52 patients had substantia nigra hyperechogenicity and in 12, it was normal. On the other hand ultrasound was normal in 42 of43 patients without a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson disease. Therefore the sensitivity and specificity of trans cranial ultrasound for the diagnosis of Parkinson disease was 81 and 97 percent, res-pectively. Conclusions: Transcranial sonography has agood sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of Parkinson disease.