Pictorial Review of Calcified Pseudoneoplasm of the Neuroaxis and Other Calcified Intracranial Lesions

Abstract

Neuroimaging is an essential tool in characterizing calcified intracranial lesions. This article outlines a pictorial review of different calcified lesions of the neuroaxis with discussion of distinguishing radiologic features and clinical and histologic characteristics. There will be an emphasis on the uncommon histologic entity known as calcified pseudoneoplasm of the neuroaxis (CAPNON), a non-neoplastic lesion that is sometimes mistaken for the more common neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. It is essential for radiologists to identify key distinguishing imaging features of various calcified intracranial lesions to narrow diagnostic considerations and collaborate with management decisions.Learning Objective: To offer a review of the uncommon histologic entity called calcified pseudoneoplasm of the neuroaxis (CAPNON) and to provide a differential diagnosis and several sample cases of other calcified lesions of the neuroaxis to help the reader differentiate and distinguish CAPNON from more common neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions