[Basal ganglia calcifications demonstrated by CT. Is further investigation necessary when this is found incidentally?].

Calcification in the basal ganglia in the brain is, as a rule, asymptomatic and is therefore observed as an incidental finding at CT examination for other cerebral conditions e.g. tumours or haemorrhage. The question is whether incidental finding of calcification in the basal ganglia indicates the need for further supplementary investigations. Three case histories and study of the literature are quoted to illustrate this. It is concluded that investigation is not indicated in patients over the age of 50 years with limited, bilateral, symmetrical calcifications in the globi pallidi. In patients under 50 years, investigation in the form of detailed history taking, neurological examination and haematological investigation is indicated.