Objective To explore the early clinical characteristics of multiple system atrophy (MSA) in the elderly,and provide the basis for early diagnosis.Methods Totally 102 cases with probable MSA in elderly patients were retrospectively analyzed to understand the beginning symptom,clinical features and assistant examination results,combined with the literature review.Results Among the 102 cases diagnosed as probable MSA (61 cases were male and 41 cases were female),57cases (55.9％) were diagnosed as parkinsonism dominant MSA (MSA-P) subtype and 45 cases (44.1％) as cerebellar dominant MSA (MSA-C)subtype.In the beginning symptom,27 cases appeared autonomic dysfunction,including 15 cases (26.3％) in MSA P subtype and 12 cases (26.6％) MSA-C subtype; 14 cases manifested as dysuresia,11 cases as orthostatic hypotension,and 8 cases as sexual dysfunction.Parkinsonism as the beginning symptom was in 49 cases,among whom 24 cases were of abnormal gait,3 cases of resting tremor,16 cases of muscle rigidity,and 15 cases of slowed movement.Cerebellar symptoms as the beginning symptom were in 33 cases,with gait and limb ataxia of 27 cases,dysarthria of 6 cases,nystagmus of 2 cases.Pyramidal tract signs as the beginning symptom were in 2 cases.There was early misdiagnosis of 36 cases (35.3％).Conclusions As wide variety of early clinical features,MSA can be easily misdiagnosed.The clinical features and assistant examination should be paid attention to improvement of the accuracy of early diagnosis.