Background and Purpose-Intracranial atherosclerosis is worldwide one of the leading causes of stroke. However, surprisingly little is known about its prevalence and risk factors in a community-dwelling population of white descent.In this study, we determined the prevalence and investigated risk factors of intracranial internal carotid artery calcification (ICAC) as a marker of intracranial atherosclerosis. Methods-To quantify the volume of ICAC, 2495 participants (mean age, 69.6 years) from the population-based Rotterdam Study underwent a nonenhanced computed tomography of the intracranial internal carotid arteries. We calculated the prevalence of ICAC. Next, we defined sex-specific quartiles and defined the upper quartile as severe ICAC.

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In 39% of patients, MRI showed abnormalities that were clinically confirmed as the final diagnosis. Surgical treatment will especially benefit patients with suppurative lesions, resulting in relief of pain.