Intracranial physiological calcifications: A computed tomography study

Abstract

AbstractBackground and aimIntracranial calcifications (ICs) occur when metals such as calcium or iron accumulate in blood vessels, glands or other structures related to the brain. They can be physiological or pathological. Currently, the most sensitive method for imaging IC is cranial computed tomography (CT). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate physiological ICs and the co-existence of them by CT.Patients and methods1,000 cranial CT scans of patients were retrospectively evaluated. Pineal calcification, choroid plexus calcification, habenular calcification, petroclinoid ligament calcification, basal ganglia calcification, falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli calcification were evaluated and recorded.ResultsOf 1,000 patients, 65.7% had IC. The incidence of ICs in different sites were as follows: pineal calcification (37.7%), choroid plexus calcification (52.1%), habenular calcification (33.5%), petroclinoid calcification (21.8%), basal ganglia calcification (0.6%), falx cerebri calcification (6.2%) and tentorium cerebelli calcification (0.2%). The incidence and co-existence of calcifications were significantly higher in females than in males (P < 0.05). Pineal, choroid plexus, petroclinoid ligament calcifications were significantly higher in females than in males (P < 0.05). The incidence and co-existence of calcifications increased with age. Tentorium Cerebelli calcification did not differ significantly between age groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionsICs may be a common finding and encountered incidentally on CT scans which is gold standard to evaluate them. It is important to distinguish physiological calcifications from pathological ones, in the differentiation of pathological lesions with calcifications.