Basal Ganglionic Lesions in Egyptian Children: Radiological Findings in Correlation with Etiology and Clinical Manifestations

Background: In childhood, the metabolic activity of the basal ganglia is greater and they are particularly prone to injury. The lesions may be unilateral: in Rassmussen encephalitis or – more frequently – bilateral in many pathologic conditions like Carbon monoxide poisoning, hypoglycemia, and Wilson disease. Damage to the basal ganglia cells may cause problems controlling speech, movement, consciousness, muscle tone, posture and cognition. Aim of the Study: to determine the etiology of basal ganglionic disorders in a sample of Egyptian children. Methods: This study was conducted on 34 patients attended the Pediatric Neurology of AlAzhar University Hospitals during a period of one year from the beginning of November 2014 to the end of November 2015. A specialized pediatric neurological sheet, Cognitive assessment in children using Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale and Laboratory investigations were performed. Results: Acute ischemic stroke was the most frequent cause, which was found in 12 (35.3%) cases, followed by 10 (29.4%) had metabolic and infectious causes, and lastly 2 (5.9%) had toxic causes. The incidence of toxic causes (CO poisoning) was significantly higher among ganglionic group compared to paraganglionic group (8.7% versus 0.0%, respectively). Conclusion: Acute ischemic stroke was the most frequent cause of basal ganglionic lesion in a sample of Egyptian children.