[Striato-pallido-dentate calcifications and acquired facial atrophy]

A family with two siblings presenting cerebral calcifications is reported. The sister was suffering from action tremor since the age of 10. The disease worsened by the age of 39. When aged 42, she was unable to walk and had severe rigidity and intellectual deterioration. She died at 43. The brother had mild debility. Action tremor started at the age of 14, without significant aggravation when seen at the age of 30. In both cases, brain CT scan showed calcifications of the dentate nuclei and cortical atrophy with ventricular enlargement. In addition, the sister had bilateral putaminal and pallidal calcifications. The other family members were unaffected and had normal CT scans. The nosology and the pathophysiology of this family report are discussed, particularly regarding the late occurrence of facial atrophy, reminiscent of the Cole-Engmann syndrome (Dyskeratosis Congenita).