2001 Volume 38 Issue 5 Pages 693-695
An 86-year old man presented with a 7-year history of gait disturbace. He was admitted to our hospital on April 2000 because he was experiencing difficulty eating due to progression of dropped head syndrome. Upon standing and sitting, remarkable dropped head and kyphosis were observed. When lying, the patient was able to strech his neck, and he could stand and walk with the aid of a walker. Rigidity and resting tremor were present predominantly in the lower limbs. Parkinson, s disease was diagnosed therefore L-dopa and Cabergoline were administered. Parkinsonism and dropped head syndrome improved in response to treatment. Cases involving dropped head syndrome due to Parkinson, s disease are reportedly improved by L-dopa, but exasperated by dopamine agonists. The mechanism of dropped head is thought to be an imbalance in the tonus of the anterior and posterior neck muscles. Dropped head in the present case may have been a complication of Parkinson's disease since it improved in response to L-dopa.