Correlation of cardiovascular autonomic function tests, magnetic resonance brain imaging and clinical features in suspect cases of multiple system atrophy

Nine patients presenting with parkinsonian features and no other clinical abnormalities were studied. These patients were evaluated for dopaminergic responsiveness, for cardiovascular reflex autonomic function, and underwent high field magnetic resonance scan. A 0 to 5 point probability score was used to evaluate the possibility that parkinsonian signs were the presenting symptoms of multiple system atrophy (MSA). Five patients were considered at risk for having MSA: three of them were classified as possible MSA cases (score 2-3), two of them were classified as probable cases of MSA (score 4-5). In patients at risk for MSA, no specific pattern of combination of clinical and laboratory data was found; all patients had different combinations of positive findings