Idiopathic bilateral strio-pallido-dentate calcinosis (Fahr's disease): a case report and review of the literature

Ann Afr Med. 2012 Oct-Dec;11(4):234-7. doi: 10.4103/1596-3519.102855.

Abstract

Bilateral calcification involving the basal ganglia (Fahr's disease) is a rare disease. A high index of suspicion is required to make clinical diagnosis; more so that the calcinosis may remain asymptomatic in a vast majority of cases. Movement disorder is by far the most common manifestation in symptomatic individuals. Fahr's disease is by no means absent in our environment, and increasing availability of a computed tomography-scan machine in Nigeria may enhance the case identification of Fahr's disease. This review presents a case of bilateral strio-pallido-dentate calcification; it also affirms the fact that Fahr's disease could present with hyperkinetic movement disorder (chorea) in our setting.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Dyskinesia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Basal Ganglia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / complications
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Basal Ganglia Diseases / drug therapy
  • Calcinosis / complications
  • Calcinosis / diagnosis*
  • Calcinosis / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Haloperidol / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Movement Disorders / diagnostic imaging
  • Movement Disorders / drug therapy
  • Movement Disorders / etiology*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / complications
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / drug therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Dyskinesia Agents
  • Haloperidol

Supplementary concepts

  • Fahr's disease