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Published on: September 5, 2017

Fahr's disease: an incidental finding in a patient of tubercular meningitis

Puneet Aggarwal1, Gunjan Kumar, Nishanth Dev

  • 1Department Internal Medicine, PGIMER & Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India. puneetaggarwal4u@gmail.com

BMJ Case Reports
|December 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Fahr's disease, a rare basal ganglia calcification disorder, was diagnosed in siblings. Treatment for associated tubercular meningitis and epilepsy led to full clinical recovery and seizure freedom.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Radiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Fahr's disease (idiopathic basal ganglia calcification) is rare, presenting with basal ganglia calcification.
  • Its natural history, progression, and treatment remain largely unknown.
  • Extrapyramidal symptoms are common, but other clinical manifestations are varied.

Observation:

  • A case of Fahr's disease incidentally discovered via CT during diagnosis of tubercular meningitis.
  • Similar extensive basal ganglia calcification was observed in a sibling evaluated for seizures.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid examination confirmed tubercular meningitis.

Findings:

  • CT imaging revealed bilateral, symmetric basal ganglia calcification consistent with Fahr's disease in both siblings.
  • Tubercular meningitis was diagnosed in one sibling.
  • Both patients responded positively to treatment.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a potential association between Fahr's disease and tubercular meningitis.
  • Successful treatment of the underlying infection and epilepsy suggests a favorable prognosis with appropriate management.
  • Further research into the etiology and treatment of Fahr's disease is warranted.

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