Symmetrical thalamic calcifications in a monozygotic twin: case report and literature review

Brain Dev. 2005 Jan;27(1):66-9. doi: 10.1016/j.braindev.2004.04.002.

Abstract

We report the occurrence of symmetrical thalamic calcifications (STC) in one of a pair of monozygotic twins born at term without evidence of pre- or peri-natal asphyxia. STC is known to be an extremely rare condition in infants. Judging from the few cases reported in the literature, the clinical presentation is very severe: low Apgar score, no spontaneous movements, spasticity or marked hypotonia, impaired suck and swallow, facial diplegia. The prognosis is also very poor. The etiology is still a matter of debate: genetic, infectious, toxic or hypoxic-ischemic insults have been hypothesized. In our case, the presence of the lesion in one of a pair of monozygotic twins would rule out any genetic origin, nor was there any evidence of toxic or infectious disease. The only potential risk factor for fetal damage was hypoxic-ischemic insult related to the twin pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review
  • Twin Study

MeSH terms

  • Apgar Score
  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Calcinosis / pathology*
  • Calcinosis / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Cortex / pathology
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiopathology
  • Dysarthria / etiology
  • Dysarthria / pathology
  • Dysarthria / physiopathology
  • Dystonia / etiology
  • Dystonia / pathology
  • Dystonia / physiopathology
  • Facial Muscles / physiopathology
  • Fetal Hypoxia / complications*
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / etiology*
  • Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / pathology*
  • Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / physiopathology
  • Infant
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Muscle Spasticity / etiology
  • Muscle Spasticity / pathology
  • Muscle Spasticity / physiopathology
  • Pyramidal Tracts / pathology
  • Pyramidal Tracts / physiopathology
  • Thalamus / diagnostic imaging
  • Thalamus / pathology*
  • Thalamus / physiopathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed