How can neuroimaging help in the diagnosis of movement disorders?

Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2010 Feb;20(1):111-23. doi: 10.1016/j.nic.2009.08.004.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Movement Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Movement Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Movement Disorders / pathology*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins