Evaluation of value of MRI, MRS and transcranial sonography of basal ganglia and brain stem in comparison with, Tc-99m TRODAT-1 SPECT in diagnosis and differentiation of Parkinson’s disease from essential tremor

Abstract

Parkinsonism, as a group of movement disorders, shows similar clinical manifestations. Therefore, clinical differentiation of these diseases is difficult. Considering that each of the imaging methods has limitations in imaging small parts of the brain, therefore our aim in this study is to investigate the value of MRS, MRI, Tc-99m TRODAT-1 SPECT and trans ultrasound modalities. The cranial basal nuclei and the brainstem region are important in the diagnosis and differentiation of idiopathic Parkinson's disease from essential tremor. materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was analytical-cross-sectional on about 52 patients who have had less than five years since the onset of primary clinical symptoms, including tremor, and whose clinical criteria do not have sufficient ability to differentiate between idiopathic Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. This category of patients underwent paraclinical evaluation including Tc-99m TRODAT-1 SPECT and transcranial ultrasound (TCS) as well as MRI and MRS and the resulting data were evaluated. Results: Also, MRI of the basal nuclei and brainstem in diagnosing and differentiating Parkinson's disease from essential tremor has a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 85%, and MRS of the basal nuclei and brainstem alone was not efficient in diagnosing and differentiating Parkinson's disease from essential tremor, and all Normal people were reported. Transcranial ultrasound of the basal nuclei and brainstem has a sensitivity of 62% and a specificity of 81% in the diagnosis and differentiation of idiopathic Parkinson's disease from essential tremor.