This site is for medical professionals only
Parkinsonian Syndromes - Diagnosis
When there is diagnostic uncertainty, DaTSCAN may help by detecting dopaminergic deficiencies.[1,5] DaTSCAN is a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tool that enables differentiation of Parkinsonian syndrome and essential tremor. In a study of 185 clinically uncertain patients, 158 with Parkinsonism and 27 with essential tremor, DaTSCAN was shown to be:[6-7]
(Figures based on institutional readings of SPECT scans reconstructed to highest usable resolution)
1. Catafau A and Tolosa E. Mov Disord 2004; 19: 1175-82
2. Hughes AJ et al. Brain 2002; 125: 861-70
3. Benamer HTS et al. Mov Disord 2003; 18: 977-84
4. Grosset D et al. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2007; 78: 465-9
5. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; Clinical Guideline 35: Parkinson's disease:
Diagnosis and management in primary and secondary care, June 2006
6. Benamer HTS et al. Mov Disord 2000; 3: 503-10
7. GE Healthcare DaTSCAN SmPC 2007
2. Hughes AJ et al. Brain 2002; 125: 861-70
3. Benamer HTS et al. Mov Disord 2003; 18: 977-84
4. Grosset D et al. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2007; 78: 465-9
5. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; Clinical Guideline 35: Parkinson's disease:
Diagnosis and management in primary and secondary care, June 2006
6. Benamer HTS et al. Mov Disord 2000; 3: 503-10
7. GE Healthcare DaTSCAN SmPC 2007
