Cortical Basal Ganglionic Degeneration Follow-up
- Author: Anna M Barrett, MD; Chief Editor: Selim R Benbadis, MD more...
Further Inpatient Care
Inpatient admission can facilitate a more rapid diagnostic workup; if deterioration has been rapid with a high degree of suspicion, a brain biopsy may be advisable. This is completed over 2 days with initial contact made by a case manager. Referral for brain biopsy then can be expedited and the procedure carried out on the same admission.
Further Outpatient Care
Periodic follow-up is appropriate to adjust dopaminergic medications or treatment for depression or other conditions. It may also help the caregiver to make plans for future care when the patient becomes more disabled.
Complications
Patients with cerebral atrophy can develop subdural hematoma after a spinal tap. Some physicians admit for 23-hour observation when performing LP to observe for headache, sleepiness, or other changes in mental status.
Prognosis
- Unfortunately, this disorder is progressive, leading to increased cognitive and motor disability.
- Aspiration pneumonia or other complications are usually the cause of death after the patient has lost the ability to care for him/herself and has lost mobility.
Patient Education
- A geriatric case manager can be very helpful in counseling the patient and family about the prognosis, community resources, need for supervision, etc.
- Massachusetts General Hospital (ie, Harvard neurology program) provides links to an online forum and chat rooms for patients and their families. Some may find them helpful sources of information and support.
- For quality care, screen patients with movement disorders for fall risk by inquiring whether patients have had 2 or more falls over the past year or one or more falls with injury. Such patients would be eligible for physical therapy assessment and aggressive fall prevention via environmental management and caregiver/patient education.
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