Atypical Parkinsonism and DBS

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http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/deepbrain2/patientworkq3.htm

http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/deepbrain2/patientworksheethome.htm

Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy Patient Worksheet

This is one question on the DBS worksheet:

Does the patient have any of the following symptoms?

- Impairment of voluntary vertical gaze but preserved reflex vertical eye

movements with oculocephalic maneuvers (i.e., a supranuclear gaze palsy).

- Marked autonomic sufficiency such as profound orthostatic hypotension,

urinary or fecal incontinence, dysphagia.

- Weakness, hyper-reflexia, pseudobulbar palsy.

- Ataxia and/or predominantly action tremor

If you answer YES to the above question this is the answer that comes out:

" This patient may have atypical Parkinsonism and may not be a candidate for

surgery. It is important to be sure about the exact diagnosis. Some forms of

atypical Parkinsonism respond to different treatments. In addition,

different forms of atypical Parkinsonism have different prognoses which is

important to patients, family members and caregivers. If you have any

questions regarding the patient's diagnosis you may want to consult with a

specialist in Movement Disorders. "