Patients with adult-onset dystonic tremor resembling parkinsonian tremor have scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit (SWEDDs)

Abstract

We present the clinical details and dopamine transporter SPECT scan results of 10 patients with arm tremor, including a rest component and reduced arm swing on the affected side, in whom the possibility of PD had been raised. All patients had signs of dystonia or components of their arm tremor that were compatible with dystonic tremor, and none had true akinesia with fatiguing or decrement, even after a mean follow-up period of 5.8 years. All patients had normal dopamine transporter SPECT scans. Clinicians should be aware that primary adult-onset dystonia can present with an asymmetric resting arm tremor, with impaired arm swing and sometimes also facial hypomimia or a jaw tremor, but without evidence of true akinesia. Given the important consequences of misdiagnosing such patients as PD, in cases with diagnostic uncertainty functional imaging should be considered. Among patients suspected of PD, dystonic tremor may be one cause of SWEDDs (Scans Without Evidence of Dopaminergic Deficit).