Hyperintense basal ganglia on T1-weighted mr imaging

The cause of hyperintense basal ganglia on T1-weighted MR images is, in many cases, speculative because these lesions often have no pathologic confirmation. Furthermore, any one case of hyperintensity of the basal ganglia may have many explanations, and therefore it is difficult to be dogmatic about the causation. However, hyperintense basal ganglia on T1- weighted MR imaging combined with associated findings and clinical history may enable suggestion of a limited differential diagnosis. Details of the above disease entities are summarized in the Appendix. In conclusion, when hyperintense basal ganglia is seen on T1-weighted imaging, hemorrhage or hemorrhagic infarction, parenteral nutrition, calcium metabolism abnormalities, neurofibromatosis, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and chronic acquired hepatic failure should be considered first.