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Neurological Sciences

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01-12-2021 | Ultrasound | Original Article

High-resolution ultrasound changes of the vagus nerve in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD): a possible additional index of disease

Authors: F. Sartucci, T. Bocci, M. Santin, P. Bongioanni, G. Orlandi

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 12/2021

Abstract

Background and rationale

Histopathological studies revealed degeneration of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (VN) early in the course of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD). Degeneration of VN axons should be detectable by high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) as a thinning of the nerve trunk. In order to establish if the VN exhibits sonographic signs of atrophy in IPD, we examined patients with IPD compared with age-matched controls.

Material and methods

We measured the caliber (cross-sectional area, CSA) and perimeter of the VN in 20 outpatients with IPD (8 females and 12 males; mean age 73.0 + 8.6 years) and in age-matched controls using HRUS. Evaluation was performed by blinded raters using an Esaote MyLab Gamma device in conventional B-Mode with an 8–19 MHz probe.

Results

In both sides, the VN CSA was significantly smaller in IPD outpatients than in controls (right 2.37 + 0.91, left 1.87 + 1.35 mm² versus 6.0 + 1.33, 5.6 + 1.26 mm²; p <0.001), as well as the perimeter (right 5.06 + 0.85, left 4.78 + 1.74 mm versus 8.87 + 0.86, 8.58 + 0.97 mm; p <0.001). There were no significant correlations between VN CSA and age, the Hoehn and Yahr scale, L-dopa therapy, and disease duration.

Conclusion

Our findings provide evidence of atrophy of the VNs in IPD patients by HRUS. Moreover, HRUS of the VN represent a non-invasive easy imaging modality of screening in IPD patients independent of disease stage and duration and an interesting possible additional index of disease.

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Title: High-resolution ultrasound changes of the vagus nerve in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD): a possible additional index of disease
Authors: F. Sartucci
T. Bocci
M. Santin
P. Bongioanni
G. Orlandi
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Ultrasound
Ultrasound
Parkinson's Disease
Levodopa
Published in: Neurological Sciences / Issue 12/2021
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-021-05183-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

High-resolution ultrasound changes of the vagus nerve in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD): a possible additional index of disease

Abstract

Background and rationale

Material and methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background and rationale

Material and methods

Results

Conclusion

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