Volume 10, issue 3
Review article
Diagnostic difficulties in differentiating between multiple system atrophy and Parkinson's disease
Włodzimierz Kuran1
1. I Klinika Neurologiczna Instytutu Psychiatrii i Neurologii w Warszawie
Postępy Psychiatrii i Neurologii, 2001, 10, 257-262
Keywords: multiple system atrophy, Parkinson’s disease, differential diagnosis
Abstract
Multiple system atrophy (MSA), especially in the form with a predomination of parkinsonic symptoms, in its early stage is difficult to diagnose, often being misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease, while the correct diagnosis is found not earlier than in a postmortem verification. Clinical differences as well as various additional tests helpful in arriving sooner at the correct differential diagnosis of MSA are discussed, which may be of importance in clinical practice.
Address for correspondence:
Dr Włodzimierz Kuran, I Klinika Neurologiczna Instytutu Psychiatrii i Neurologii, Al. Sobieskiego 9, 02-957 Warszawa