Basal ganglia calcification is common and is seen in approximately 1% of all CT scans of the brain, depending on the demographics of the scanned population. It is seen more frequently in older patients and is considered a normal incidental and idiopathic finding in an elderly patient but should be considered pathological in persons younger than the age of 40 years unless proved otherwise 5.
However, there are many causes of calcification:
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idiopathic
aging: common, globus pallidus most commonly affected
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toxic
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associated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy
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infectious
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metabolic
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parathyroid disorders
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birth hypoxia
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inherited
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vascular
developmental venous anomaly (unilateral) 7