Gaillard F, Deng F, Smith D, et al. Basal ganglia T1 hyperintensity. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 07 Jun 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-968
There are many causes of basal ganglia T1 hyperintensity, but the majority relate to deposition of T1-shortening elements within the basal ganglia such as:
calcium
idiopathic calcification
calcium and phosphate abnormalities
hepatic dysfunction or bypass (specifically affecting globi pallidi)
1. Lai PH, Chen C, Liang HL et-al. Hyperintense basal ganglia on T1-weighted MR imaging. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1999;172 (4): 1109-15. AJR Am J Roentgenol (citation) - Pubmed citation
2. Lai PH, Tien RD, Chang MH et-al. Chorea-ballismus with nonketotic hyperglycemia in primary diabetes mellitus. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 17 (6): 1057-64. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol (abstract) - Pubmed citation
3. Kanda T, Osawa M, Oba H et-al. High Signal Intensity in Dentate Nucleus on Unenhanced T1-weighted MR Images: Association with Linear versus Macrocyclic Gadolinium Chelate Administration. Radiology. 2014; 140364. doi:10.1148/radiol.14140364 - Pubmed citation
4. Kanda T, Ishii K, Kawaguchi H et-al. High signal intensity in the dentate nucleus and globus pallidus on unenhanced T1-weighted MR images: relationship with increasing cumulative dose of a gadolinium-based contrast material. Radiology. 2014;270 (3): 834-41. doi:10.1148/radiol.13131669 - Pubmed citation
5. Parvinian A, Iyer V, Pannu B, Apala D, Wood C, Brinjikji W. Basal Ganglia T1 Hyperintensity in Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2017;38(10):1929-33. doi:10.3174/ajnr.a5322 - Pubmed