Mineralizing angiopathy with infantile basal ganglia stroke after minor trauma.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to describe a cohort of infants with basal ganglia stroke associated with mineralization in the lenticulostriate arteries and their clinical outcomes.

METHOD: Subcortical strokes occurring in infants during the study period were categorized as arterial ischaemic, venous, or haemorrhagic. A cohort of infants with basal ganglia infarcts and associated mineralization of lenticulostriate arteries were identified. This group was analysed for possible aetiological factors, clinical course, and recurrence rate of the stroke.

RESULTS: Of 23 infants with basal ganglia arterial ischaemic stroke, 22 (16 males, six females; mean age 11mo [±SD 4.8mo]) were found to have lenticulostriate artery mineralization. Twenty infants presented with hemiparesis and two presented with recurrent episodes of hemidystonia. Eighteen infants had a history of minor trauma before onset of stroke. No other predisposing factors were identified in this cohort. There were no demonstrable causes for vascular and soft tissue calcification. The mean follow-up was 11 months, during which five infants experienced stroke recurrence. Of the 17 infants who did not experience a recurrent stroke, eight exhibited complete neurological recovery, and nine had mild residual hemiparesis.

INTERPRETATION: Acute basal ganglia stroke after minor trauma associated with mineralization of lenticulostriate arteries in infants is a distinct clinicoradiological entity. Investigations for prothrombotic states and vasculopathies are normal. Although neurological outcomes in most children are good, trauma is a risk factor for recurrence of stroke.