Trauma-Induced Parkinson’s Syndrome

Abstract

Objectives:

Investigate if facial fractures predispose patients to developing Parkinson’s disease. Facial trauma ranges from lacerations to complex facial fractures. These fractures can result from sports, motor vehicle collisions, or assaults. The long-term neurologic effects of facial fractures have not been studied. Significant force is required to break midface buttresses or the mandible. Such force is transmitted toward the cranial vault contents. The location of the basal ganglia along the skull base predispose this area to higher strain. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) shows similar neurologic damage related to repeated head injuries, as seen in the NFL and boxing.

Methods:

A total of 146 Parkinson’s patients were recruited from the neurology clinic. They were given a voluntary survey. This survey consisted of demographic questions: sex, age, age of diagnosis, involvement in sports, and history of facial fractures. The incidences of facial fracture ICD9 820.0 were analyzed with Wolfram Alpha and then chi-square.

Results:

Twenty-two of 146 (15%) had a positive history of facial fractures. Of the 22, 9 (6%) experienced multiple fractures. Twenty-six of 146 (17.8%) patients were involved in contact sports, with 7 out of 26 patients having fractures and participating in sports. Utilizing Wolfram Alpha, the incidence of ICD9 820.0 was calculated to be 1 out of 4100 (0.024%) in the US population. A chi-square test comparing our results showed a P value of .023

Conclusions:

Based on these statistically significant results, patients who experience facial fractures show an increased predilection for developing Parkinson’s disease.