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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
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Dynamic Digital Biomarkers of Motor and Cognitive Function in Parkinson's Disease
Published on: July 24, 2019
Diagnostic pitfalls in Parkinson's disease: case report
Flávio Augusto Sekeff-Sallem1, Egberto Reis Barbosa
1Divisão de Neurologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. fass_1998@yahoo.com
Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria
|July 4, 2007
Summary
Early-onset Parkinson's disease can present atypically, with symptoms like lower limb pain and rigidity. This case highlights diagnostic challenges in identifying Parkinson's disease with unusual initial signs.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Movement Disorders
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) typically presents with upper limb resting tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia.
- Early-onset parkinsonism (onset < 40 years) presents diagnostic challenges due to varied differential diagnoses.
Observation:
- Atypical PD presentations include pure akinetic-rigid syndrome, lower limb onset, and pain as a primary symptom.
- A 37-year-old woman experienced early-onset parkinsonism with initial left leg pain and lower limb akinetic-rigid syndrome.
Findings:
- The patient's diagnosis of Parkinson's disease was delayed by 4 years and 16 expert referrals.
- This case underscores the diagnostic difficulties posed by unusual initial manifestations of Parkinson's disease.
Implications:
- Recognizing atypical Parkinson's disease features is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
- Increased awareness of varied PD presentations can reduce diagnostic delays and improve patient outcomes.
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