TCS courses

Transcranial Sonography - Two-day Intensive Personal Training Course

A typical hyperechogenicity of the substantia nigra (SN), known to be prevalent in more than 90% of Parkinsons’s disease patients, can be demonstrated with the method of transcranial sonography (Berg, 2008). This method is reliable, non-invasive, commonly available and easily applicable and therefore it constitutes a valuable screening instrument.

Imaging is done with a transtemporal approach and with the transducer placed at the preauricular site while the patient is in a supine position. The brain parenchyma is scanned from both temporal bone windows. Structures of the brainstem, basal ganglia and ventricles can be visualized. Extension of the ventricular system as well as of echogenic signals at the substantia nigra are measured quantitatively. Changes of echogenicity of the basal ganglia and the hippocampus are documented semiquantitatively. Within the butterfly-shaped mesencephalic brainstem, the SN of Parkinson’s disease patients can be detected as an enlarged hyperechogenic structure.

Fig.: 1: Ultrasound images of the mesencephalic brainstem; the butterfly shaped mesencephalic brainstem is encircled with dotted lines.
A: healthy adult with usual echogenicity at the anatomic area of the SN.
B: Parkinson’s disease patient with hyperechogenicity of the SN. The echogenic area of the SN ipsilateral to the probe is encircled for measurement.

Hyperechogenicity seems to be independent from the stage of disease and serves therefore as a valuable marker for the early differential diagnosis of Parkinsonian syndromes. First studies indicate that this ultrasound feature may even constitute a risk marker for Parkinson’s disease. This hypothesis is currently investigated in longitudinal studies.

Course contents: for learning the technique we are offering individual, international two-day hands on training courses on Transcranial Sonography in Parkinsonian Syndromes once or twice a year. These workshops include a broad, individual practical training program in small groups under constant supervision.
The practical training is completed by theoretical lectures on the background of the method, technical aspects und future applications.

Course program: for further information of the course contents please refer to the program of our last TCS-course

Dates for next courses: available on request

Expenses: for the two-day workshop we charge a compensational fee of 500€ per guest

Contact / Organisation: if you are interested in further informations, please contact:

Dr. Bettina Faust
Department of Neurodegeneration
Hertie-Institute for Clincial Brain Research
Center for Neurology,
Hoppe-Seyler-Str.3
D-72076 Tübingen
bettina.faust(at)klinikum.uni-tuebingen.de

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