Urinary frequency, urgency and nocturia are common complaints in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The hypothesis most widely proposed to explain neurogenic bladder symptoms in PD is that cell loss in the substantia nigra may cause detrusor hyperactivity due to a loss in the D1 receptor-mediated tonic inhibition of the micturition reflex, although other causes including anti-parkinsonian medication cortical effects have been considered.1 We present the clinical and pathological findings of a patient with parkinsonism who presented with prominent dysautonomia and a poor response to dopaminergic medications and was considered to have possible multiple system atrophy parkinsonism (MSA-P). Pathological examination revealed that the patient had PD with α-synuclein pathology in the Onuf’s nucleus (ON).

CASE REPORT

A 52-year-old male presented with a 12-month history of urinary frequency and urgency in 1999. Examination revealed no prostate enlargement. Urodynamic studies showed evidence of bladder instability and obstruction, with flexible cystoscopy not showing any abnormalities. Two years later, he started to slow down in his movements, shuffle and complain of stiffness. He had a stooped posture, a frozen facial appearance, reduced blinking and mild limb rigidity. Deep tendon reflexes were brisk, with equivocal plantar responses. Orthostatic hypotension was found with a …