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Hummingbird sign (midbrain)

Case contributed by Gustavo Aguiar
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Postural instability and parkinsonian features

Patient Data

Age: 70 years
Gender: Female
mri

Atrophy of the midbrain tegmentum with a preserved pons

Annotated image

The hummingbird sign (green dotted)

Atrophy of the midbrain tegmentum with a preserved pons (appearance resembling the head and body of a hummingbird)

Case Discussion

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by supranuclear vertical gaze palsy, postural instability and falls, parkinsonian features, speech disturbance, and cognitive impairment. The hummingbird sign in brain MRI is an interesting radiological sign in the patients with PSP.

 

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