Parkinsonism and Tremor Disorders: A Clinical Approach

ABSTRACT

Differentiation of idiopathic Parkinson's disease from other causes of Parkinsonism; such as Multiple System Atrophy; Progressive Supranuclar Palsy and Vascular Parkinsonism can be difficult. Clinicopathological studies suggest that the clinical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease is 76reliable. Also; clinical differentiation of tremor prominent Parkinsonism from Essential Tremor or Drug induced Parkinsonism may be problematic; especially in the early stages of the disease. Since these disorders are obviously different in clinical progress; it is important for the clinician to address the patient's and family's concerns about prognosis from a firm diagnostic footing. In this article the clinical features of the common and important causes of Parkinsonism and tremor disorders are reviewed and a practical approach is suggested