Intracranial vascular calcifications, glioblastoma multiforme, and lead poisoning

Abstract

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.