Imaging in Fahr’s disease: how CT and MRI differ?

Abstract

A 30-year-old man presented with gradually progressive spasticity of all limbs and dementia for 1 month. A CT scan showed extensive symmetric calcifications involving subcortical white matter of the cerebrum and cerebellum (figure 1), bilateral basal ganglia, thalamus (figure 2) and dentate nucleus (figure 3). An MRI showed the calcifications as T1 hyperintensities and gradient hypointensities. The T2 and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images showed ill-defined hyperintense foci in bilateral centrum semiovale (figure 1). MR spectroscopy showed no lactate peak. Blood investigations revealed normal serum levels of calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone. Initial and …