Levodopa/carbidopa/entacapone-induced acute Pisa syndrome in a Parkinson's disease patient

J Neurol Sci. 2008 Dec 15;275(1-2):154-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2008.07.017. Epub 2008 Sep 23.

Abstract

Pisa syndrome (PS) is a dystonic lateroflexion of the trunk with a postural disturbance resembling the leaning tower of Pisa. Initially reported as a side effect related to antipsychotic therapy, this original dystonic posture is also manifested in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and multiple system atrophy, or in rare idiopathic cases. Recent observations have described the onset of PS with subchronic course in patients affected by Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we report on the acute development of PS in a parkinsonian patient during treatment with entacapone/levodopa/carbidopa combination. This case illustrates how, in contrast to previously well-known chronic/subchronic forms, this axial dystonic posture may occur in PD as an acute onset reversible type, related to levodopa treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antiparkinson Agents / adverse effects*
  • Carbidopa / adverse effects
  • Catechols / adverse effects
  • Dystonic Disorders / chemically induced*
  • Dystonic Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitriles / adverse effects
  • Parkinson Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods
  • Tropanes

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Catechols
  • Nitriles
  • Tropanes
  • 2-carbomethoxy-8-(3-fluoropropyl)-3-(4-iodophenyl)tropane
  • Levodopa
  • entacapone
  • Carbidopa