ATYPICAL PARKINSONIAN SYNDROMES

Various clinico-pathological studies have shown that appr. 20% of pati ents with a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) may have neuropathological evidence of alternative causes of parkinso nism. of these misdiagnosed ''IPD'' patients meet clinical criteria fo r either multiple system atrophy (MSA), or progressive supranuclear pa lsy (PSP), or corticobasal degeneration (CBD). A careful history and p hysical examination, as well as follow-ups and selected investigations are essential for an accurate clinical diagnosis of these atypical pa rkinsonian syndromes. The following paper therfore provides a review o f clinical features and diagnostic findings in MSA, PSP and CBD, in or der to facilitate recognition of these patients.