INTRODUCTION: Cerebral calcifications are a cause of secondary dystonia and may 
be an uncommon complication of radiotherapy. We report a very severe case of 
generalized dystonia due to postradiotherapy basal ganglia calcifications.
CASE REPORT: An 8-year-old girl received 53 grays radiotherapy after surgery for 
craniopharyngioma. One year later she developed generalized dystonia. Computed 
tomography showed bilateral basal ganglia calcifications, especially of the 
lenticular nuclei. Pharmacological treatment with tetrabenazine, clonazepam and 
trihexiphenydile allowed a very limited improvement of dystonia; the course was 
complicated by dystonic storms and decompensations resulting from the 
iatrogenous panhypopituitarism.
CONCLUSION: This case illustrates a severe complication of cranial irradiation 
which should be considered in the indications of this treatment, especially for 
children.