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Multiple sclerosis and parkinsonism: a case report
Vesile Ozturk1, Egemen Idiman, Ihsan S Sengun
1Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey. ozturkv@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a well-known disease characterized by the distribution of plaques in the periventricular and subcortical white matter. Although plaques can also be found in the striatum, pallidum and thalamus, extrapyramidal symptoms are very rare in MS. However, the association of MS and parkinsonism is still a controversial topic as it has not been established whether these two conditions occur coincidentally or causally. In the literature, eleven cases of parkinsonism associated with MS have been described. Here, we report a patient with clinically definite MS and signs of parkinsonism. Our patient had slow progressive bradykinesia, static tremor and bradymimia that were not associated with exacerbation or progression of the MS. This rare and interesting association of multiple sclerosis with parkinsonism is discussed in the light of literature reports.
Insights
This study reports a rare case of parkinsonism in a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS). The findings contribute to the ongoing discussion about the potential causal link between MS and parkinsonism.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroimmunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system, typically presenting with white matter plaques.
- Extrapyramidal symptoms are uncommon in MS, despite occasional plaque formation in relevant brain regions like the basal ganglia.
Observation:
- A patient with clinically definite MS presented with parkinsonian signs including bradykinesia, static tremor, and bradymimia.
- These parkinsonian symptoms were independent of MS exacerbations or disease progression.
Findings:
- The case adds to the limited literature on the co-occurrence of MS and parkinsonism.
- The patient's presentation suggests a potential, though debated, association between these neurological conditions.
Implications:
- Further research is needed to elucidate the potential pathomechanisms underlying parkinsonism in MS patients.
- This case highlights the importance of considering parkinsonism in the differential diagnosis of neurological symptoms in MS patients.