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Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity in Polish patients with Parkinson’s disease
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Abstract
Background: Hyperechogenicity of the substantia nigra (SN) measured by transcranial sonography (TCS) is a characteristic feature observed in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). To our knowledge, no SN hyperechogenicity data are available for Polish population. Moreover most of studies come from few centres, which used the one type of ultrasound device. The main aim of the study was to investigate the association between PD and SN hyperechogenicity measured by sonographic machine, not assessed so far.
Materials and methods: In this study cross-sectional study SN hyperechogenicity was evaluated in 102 PD patients and 95 control subjects. Midbrain was visualised by Aloka Prosound 7 ultrasound device. SN area measurement, the relation to the clinical features of PD, inter- and intra-observer reliability were evaluated.
Results: We confirmed that SN echogenicity is significantly increased in PD patients compared to control subjects (p < 0.001). The area under curve for PD patients vs. controls was 0.93. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated a cut-offs for SN echogenicity at 0.19 cm2 with accuracy equal to 90%, specificity — 86% and sensitivity — 93.7%. The SN hyperechogenicity was not related to PD clinical findings. Reliability was good if an experienced sonographer performed the SN measurements.
Conclusions: This study shows that the SN abnormality observed by TCS isa specific feature, which can be helpful in the process of PD diagnosing.
Abstract
Background: Hyperechogenicity of the substantia nigra (SN) measured by transcranial sonography (TCS) is a characteristic feature observed in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). To our knowledge, no SN hyperechogenicity data are available for Polish population. Moreover most of studies come from few centres, which used the one type of ultrasound device. The main aim of the study was to investigate the association between PD and SN hyperechogenicity measured by sonographic machine, not assessed so far.
Materials and methods: In this study cross-sectional study SN hyperechogenicity was evaluated in 102 PD patients and 95 control subjects. Midbrain was visualised by Aloka Prosound 7 ultrasound device. SN area measurement, the relation to the clinical features of PD, inter- and intra-observer reliability were evaluated.
Results: We confirmed that SN echogenicity is significantly increased in PD patients compared to control subjects (p < 0.001). The area under curve for PD patients vs. controls was 0.93. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated a cut-offs for SN echogenicity at 0.19 cm2 with accuracy equal to 90%, specificity — 86% and sensitivity — 93.7%. The SN hyperechogenicity was not related to PD clinical findings. Reliability was good if an experienced sonographer performed the SN measurements.
Conclusions: This study shows that the SN abnormality observed by TCS isa specific feature, which can be helpful in the process of PD diagnosing.
Keywords
Parkinson disease, substantia nigra, transcranial sonography
About this articleTitle
Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity in Polish patients with Parkinson’s disease
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
267-271
Published online
2014-09-05
Page views
1544
Article views/downloads
1610
DOI
10.5603/FM.2014.0042
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2014;73(3):267-271.
Keywords
Parkinson disease
substantia nigra
transcranial sonography
Authors
W. Ambrosius
S. Michalak
M. Owecki
M. Łukasik
J. Florczak-Wyspiańska
W. Kozubski
