Prevalences of CT-detected calcification in the basal ganglia in idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and pseudohypoparathyroidism.

Sixteen patients with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism (IHP) and eight patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) were examined by CT scan of the brain. Calcification in the basal ganglia was observed in 11 patients with IHP (69%) and in all eight patients with PHP. Of the 19 patients with basal ganglia calcification, nine had calcification in the cerebral cortex (47%), and four had calcification in the cerebellum (21%). Observation of basal ganglia calcification on CT gave rise to suspicion of IHP or PHP in three patients (12%). The remaining patients were examined at varying time after diagnosis. Since arrest in growth of calcification after institution of treatment has never been proven, the reported prevalences of calcification may not be valid to the situation at the time of diagnosis.

Calcifications simulating peroneus longus tendinitis.

In two patients with sprains of the ankle joint calcification adjacent to the posterior tibial margin was evident in the lateral projection of a standard radiographic examination. Calcifying peroneus longus tendinitis was suggested. Further tangential views and computed tomography (CT) scan disclosed, however, that the calcifications in both patients were located in the tibial insertion of the posterior and inferior tibio-fibular ligament. In such cases, a correct diagnosis will avoid unnecessary treatment for a non-existent tendinitis.

Oral findings in DiGeorge syndrome.

An 8-year-old female with DiGeorge syndrome was referred for dental treatment. Previous medical examination had disclosed heart and aortic arch malformations, hypoparathyroidism and an impaired cellular immune response. At dental examination, hypertelorism, a short philtrum, low-set malformed ears, a cleft palate and severe enamel hypoplasia were noted. The chronological distribution of enamel defects corresponded to the patients' age at known episodes of profound hypocalcemia occurring during treatment with vitamin D. Branchial dysembryogenesis should be considered in any case with dental changes related to hypoparathyroidism.

Nature and frequency of dental changes in idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and pseudohypoparathyroidism.

Eleven patients with idiopathic hypoparathyroidism and pseudohypoparathyroidism were examined orally and medically. All patients had a history of tetanic and/or epileptic manifestations. Correspondingly, disturbances in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus had been present in all. Dental anomalies were demonstrated in all patients but one. Enamel hypoplasia was observed in six cases, disturbances in tooth eruption in eight, root defects in five and hypodontia in seven. Dental anomalies were more frequent than could be expected from the literature, probably because the dental aspects of hypoparathyroid disease often have been overlooked. In the present material, the above-mentioned disturbances were most severe and frequent in the pseudohypoparathyroid group. Hypoparathyroid conditions are highly invalidating, easily accessible to treatment, but often undiagnosed for years. Therefore, the dental observation of severe disturbances in tooth formation and eruption pattern may be of crucial importance and should lead to further medical investigation.

Computed tomography and hypocycloid tomography in lesions of the nose, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx.

In 31 patients with lesions mainly arising from the nose, paranasal sinuses and nasopharynx comparative evaluation of the results of CT and hypocycloid tomography indicated that CT generally gave a better representation of both the bony structures and the soft parts and alone has the capacity to evaluate intracranial extension. CT should first be performed in the transverse axial plane. If abnormalities in relation to horizontal bony structures are demonstrated, the examination should be supplemented by CT in the coronal plane or, if CT scanning in this plane is not possible, by conventional tomography. Enhancement after intravenous injection of contrast medium does not as a rule seem to add information of diagnostic importance.

Calcification of the basal ganglia following carbon monoxide poisoning.

Minor calcification of the basal ganglia was demonstrated by computed tomography in a woman, aged 66, who had survived carbon monoxide poisoning 48 years earlier. Extensive neuropathological investigations have demonstrated calcified lesions of the basal ganglia in a number of conditions, but their frequency and topographic distribution in vivo remain to be elucidated, by means of CT.