Transcranial Sonography (TCS) of Brain Parenchyma in Corticobasal Degeneration

Introduction: TCS of brain parenchyma has recently been demonstrated to be able to detect characteristic ultrasound features in various movement disorders. Aim of the study was to evaluate the echo pattern of parenchymal structures in patients with corticobasal degeneration (CBD). Methods: TCS was performed in 8 patients (mean age 67±8 years) who met the clinical diagnostic criteria for CBD (Litvan et al., 1997) and 20 age-matched non-parkinsonian controls using a standardized protocol. The signal intensity (echogenicity) of the substantia nigra (SN) and the thalamus was assessed bilaterally and the width of the third ventricle was measured. Results: In CBD, the echogenic signals of the SN were more extended contralateral (21±4mm²) than ipsilateral (17±5mm²) to the more affected body side. The area of SN echogenicity was significantly increased in patients with CBD compared to healthy controls (SN area: 19±5 vs. 9±7mm²; p<0.01). The echo pattern of the thalami and the width of the ventricle did not differ between patients and controls. Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest that the brain parenchyma sonography in CBD is characterized by an asymmetric hyperechogenicity of the SN. The abnormal echo pattern in the SN region might reflect some degree of nigrostriatal injury in CBD.