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DaTSCAN interpretation — SCE Neurology MCQ

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HardNeurological InvestigationsDaTSCAN interpretationSCE Neurology

A patient has an action tremor without bradykinesia or rigidity, and DaTSCAN shows normal symmetric striatal uptake. What diagnosis is now most likely?

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Correct answer: B — Essential tremor

The best answer is “Essential tremor”. Normal presynaptic dopaminergic uptake argues against degenerative parkinsonism; an isolated action tremor with normal tone and no bradykinesia is therefore most consistent with essential tremor. The alternatives “Tremor-dominant Parkinson disease”, “Progressive supranuclear palsy”, “Corticobasal syndrome”, “Drug-induced parkinsonism” are clinically adjacent possibilities, but they do not match the defining chronology, localisation, physiology, investigation result or UK management sequence in this stem.

Reference: National Clinical Guideline for Stroke: acute care: https://www.strokeguideline.org/chapter/acute-care/