Intracranial Calcifications

Abstract

Brain calcifications are a common radiographic finding. The pathogenesis is diverse and ranges from benign physiological calcifications to a variety of pathological disorders. Whereas certain calcifications are considered an incidental finding, their presence can sometimes be crucial in making a specific diagnosis. Several pathological conditions affecting the brain parenchyma are associated with calcifications and their recognition and location might help in narrowing the differential. Knowledge of physiological calcifications is essential to avoid misinterpretation. This review illustrates a broad spectrum of CNS disorders associated with calcifications, and tries to highlight the salient radiological findings.

Revised diagnostic criteria for neurocysticercosis

“…Cysticerci-related calcifications are solid, most often b10 mm in diameter and are evenly distributed in the brain parenchyma with the exception of the brainstem and cerebellum, where they are rare. These small, rounded, well-defined calcifications are infrequent if ever found in patients from non cysticercosis-endemic countries, where calcifications due to many other physiological or pathological mechanisms have distinct appearances and shapes [26,27]. While modern sequences such as T2weighted gradient-echo and diffusion tensor imaging have increased the ability of MRI to recognize mineralization, CT should be the optimal screening procedure to visualize calcification and quantify these lesions and to reduce the risk of confusing them with cerebral microbleeds, which is a common unrelated neuroimaging finding in older individuals [28].…”

Calcified brain metastases may be more frequent than normally considered

“…Intraparenchymal brain calcifications are found in a variety of conditions including physiological/age-related changes, infections, genetic and neurodegenerative diseases, vascular syndromes, metabolic/endocrine disorders, and primary tumors such as oligodendroglioma. Though in many cases calcifications can be considered an incidental finding, sometimes their presence can be crucial in making a correct diagnosis [1]. Brain metastases represent the most frequent brain neoplastic lesions in the adult population and their frequency has grown over time due to the increase in overall survival of oncologic patients and to the improvement of the available diagnostic tools for metastases detection, such as newgeneration CT scanners and MRI [2].…”

Occasional resolution of multiple parenchymal brain calcifications in patients with neurocysticercosis

“…They are associated with many CNS disorders as well as part of physiologic processes. 6 Calcifications have also been described as the typical final stage of parenchymal brain cysticercosis lesions. CNS calcifications are the most frequent cerebral finding in patients with neurocysticercosis, and their number usually correlates with the original number of viable cysts.…”

“…CNS calcifications are the most frequent cerebral finding in patients with neurocysticercosis, and their number usually correlates with the original number of viable cysts. 6 It is assumed that these lesions persist unchanged for the life of the patient. 7 The presence of residual calcifications has been associated with focal neurologic symptoms and with a higher likelihood of seizure relapses.…”