Number of patients with two distinct ultrasound findings: one combining a hyperechogenic substantia nigra (SN) on at least one side with a regular echogenic lentiform nucleus (LN) on both sides and the other combining a hyperechogenic LN on one or both sides with a moderate or low echogenic SN. The first combination together with the clinical finding of “parkinsonism” reliably predicted IPD, whereas the second combination was indicative of an atypical parkinsonian syndrome
| Echo pattern of the SN and the LN | No of patients | Positive predictive value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Parkinson’s disease | With atypical parkinsonian syndromes | ||
| Hyperechogenic SN combined with regular echogenic LN | 58 | 6 | 0.91 |
| Hyperechogenic LN combined with moderate echogenic SN at best | 1 | 28 | 0.96 |