Digitized Image Analysis of Insula Echogenicity Detected by TCS-MR Fusion Imaging in Wilson's and Early-Onset Parkinson's Diseases

Abstract Transcranial sonography (TCS) can reveal pathology in brain structures including insula. This study compared insula echogenicity among 22 patients with Wilson's disease (WD), 21 patients with early-onset Parkinson's disease (EO-PD) and 24 healthy patients. Echogenicity of predefined brain structures (insula, lentiform nucleus, caudate nucleus, substantia nigra and raphe nuclei) was evaluated using digitized analysis of TCS fusion imaging with magnetic resonance. Cortical, subcortical and cerebellar atrophy and ventricle diameters were determined from magnetic resonance images. The mean echogenicity index of insula did not differ between males and females (p = 0.92), but the echogenicity of insula was higher in patients with WD than in patients with EO-PD and healthy patients (p