Basal Ganglia Calcification Due to Mineralizing Lenticulostriate Vasculopathy in Children Without Stroke Presentation

Background: Basal ganglia calcification due to mineralizing lenticulostriate vasculopathy has recently been recognized in infants and young children presenting with basal ganglia stroke after minor head trauma. There is little information regarding its occurrence in children outside stroke presentation. Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective chart review of children with basal ganglia calcification due to mineralizing lenticulostriate vasculopathy but with non-stroke presentation. Results: Fifteen children, 11 boys, and 4 girls, aged from 3 months to 16 years met the inclusion criteria. Five children were under 2 years of age, 6 between 2.5 and 9 years, and 4 between 10 and 16 years. Seven children presented with seizures including three each with febrile seizures, epilepsy, and one with hypocalcemic seizures. Three children had migraine, one syncope, and one head- rolling. One child each presented with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, developmental delay, and minor head trauma. Basal ganglia calcification was punctate and asymmetric on axial computed tomography images in all the children. Coronal and sagittal reconstruction images were available in four children, and all showed linear hyperdensities in the basal ganglia conforming to the calcification of lenticulostriate arteries. The calcification was bilateral in 11 and unilateral in 4. All except one child had normal development. Conclusion: Basal ganglia calcification due to mineralizing lenticulostriate vasculopathy can be observed in children without presentation with stroke. Affected children tend to be older than those with stroke presentation. The association is likely incidental, but further studies are needed to better delineate this entity.