Incidence and distribution of normal intracranial calcifications in adults on computed tomography.

Dr. Manash Kumar Bora; Dr. Kaveri Sharma; Dr.S.Vithiavathi; Dr.Siddhartha Ram S; Dr.Fazil Moidu; DR .M.Vignesh; Dr. B.P Venkatesh

Volume : IV, Issue : III, March - 2015

Incidence and distribution of normal intracranial calcifications in adults on computed tomography.

Dr. Manash Kumar Bora, Dr. Kaveri Sharma, Dr. S. Vithiavathi, Dr. Siddhartha Ram S, Dr. Fazil Moidu, Dr . M. Vignesh, Dr. B. P Venkatesh

Abstract :

Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence and frequency of normal physiological calcifications in ain in adult subjects with Computerized Tomography(CT).Physiological calcifications are seen in the choroid plexus, falx , tentorium cerebella ,pineal gland, habenula, basal ganglia, vessel walls including venous sinus and in meninges like dural calcifications. These calcifications are not accompanied by any focal or diffuse pathology of ain. Materials and methods: A total of 1537 subjects were evaluated over a period of two years in this study. The patients were from 20 to 80 years of age from both sex . These patients were referred for CT scan of ain having complaints like headache, diplopia, seizure, focal neurological deficit etc to name a few requiring neuroimaging for a diagnosis. All these patients has a normal study and had one or more areas of normal physiological calcifications. Results and observations: The study had 1537 subjects from 20 to 80 years of age, of which 52.5% were males 47.5% were females. The highest number of calcification was found in pineal gland(72.4%). It was followed by choroid plexus(68.2%), habenula(20.1%), vascular(8.2%), falx(1.4%) and basal ganglia(1%) calcifications. The least number of calcifications was seen in tentorium cerebella(0.8%) .The size of calcifications was from 4 mm to 10 mm with most calcifications having a average size of 4 mm to 5 mm(71%). The largest calcified area was choroid plexus calcification having average dimension of 8 mm to 10 mm. With respect to combined calcifications ,70.3% subjects had calcifications in both pineal and choroid plexus, followed by calcifications in pineal and habenula accounting for 46.25% Choroid and habenular calcifications was seen in 44.15% of subjects. Conclusion: We conclude that the normal physiological calcifications in ain have a documented location where they usually occur, unlike pathological calcifications. A thorough knowledge of the same is essential for the both the radiologist and practising physician for accurate evaluation of ain in neuroimaging modalities like CT