Differentiation of Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy with magnetic resonance imaging: The first Brazilian experience

BackgroundThe objective of this study is to differentiate PSP from Parkinson's disease through magnetic resonance imaging.MethodsWe included 14 consecutive patients with PD (9) or PSP (5). These measures included the third ventricle, midbrain diameter, quadrigeminal plate, brainstem volumetry, and interpeduncular angle.ResultsPatients with PSP presented enlargement of third ventricle (100% vs. 33%), lower midbrain diameter (mean 13.2±1.7 mm vs. 16.5±1.7 mm) and thinning of the quadrigeminal plate (mean 2.7±0.3 mm vs. 3.6±0.3 mm) in comparison with PD.ConclusionsCharacteristic findings on MRI may help to differentiate PD from PSP.