Intracranial vascular calcifications, glioblastoma multiforme, and lead poisoning.
A 72-year-man with previous lead poisoning presented with raised intracranial pressure and localizing neurologic signs. CT scans showed a high-grade glioma and extensive intracranial calcifications, which proved to be vascular in distribution on postmortem examination. The latter findings support the concept of dystrophic calcification following lead-induced cerebrovascular injury. Lead poisoning should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained intracranial calcifications. There is also evidence from previous studies to suggest a causative relationship between lead poisoning and development of glioma.
Teo
J G
JG
Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Goh
K Y
KY
Ahuja
A
A
Ng
H K
HK
Poon
W S
WS
D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000473:pathology; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007427:Intracranial Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination