The procerus sign (vertical wrinkling of the forehead) is a medical sign consisting of vertical forehead wrinkling around the bridge of the nose and the glabella. This can be seen in neurodegenerative diseases such as progressive supranuclear palsy.

Procerus sign
Other namesVertical wrinkling of the forehead
Differential diagnosisprogressive supranuclear palsy, Parkinson's disease

Definition

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The procerus sign is defined as wrinkling around the bridge of the nose and the glabella.[1]

Differential

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The procerus sign can be seen in neurodegenerative diseases such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).[2] It is highly specific to PSP compared to other disorders involving Parkinsonism.[1]

Mechanism

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Dystonia of the procerus muscle or the corrugator supercilii muscle leads to abnormal muscle contraction.[1] It is present both when the eyes are open and when they are closed, including during blinking.[3]

History

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The procerus sign may also be known as "vertical wrinkling of the forehead" because it often does not just involve the procerus muscle.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Batla, Amit; Nehru, Ravi; Vijay, Tarun (2010-11-15). "Vertical wrinkling of the forehead or Procerus sign in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy". Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 298 (1–2): 148–149. doi:10.1016/j.jns.2010.08.010. ISSN 0022-510X. PMID 20810128. S2CID 42867971 – via ScienceDirect.
  2. ^ Continuum neurology journal. August 2016. Atypical Parkinsonian Disorders article
  3. ^ Romano, S.; Colosimo, C. (2001-11-27). "Procerus sign in progressive supranuclear palsy". Neurology. 57 (10): 1928. doi:10.1212/WNL.57.10.1928. ISSN 0028-3878. PMID 11723296.