Calcified and Ossified Plaques of the Spinal Arachnoid Membranes

Knoblich, Roman; Olsen, Bruce S.

doi:10.3171/jns.1966.25.3.0275

Cited by 34 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Albeit rarely reported in the clinical anatomy literature, these calcified plaques may be very common since some autopsy studies have reported a high incidence with the largest series reporting 62% in 470 examinations (Solov'ev, 1973(Solov'ev, , 1974Slavin et al, 1999). Other autopsy series reported frequencies between 43% and 73% (Herren, 1936;Knoblich and Olsen, 1966). The true prevalence of these calcifications is unknown because published studies have been biased toward patients seen by spine surgeons ordering spine imaging, and systematic cadaver studies are not known.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Spinal arachnoid calcifications

Wijdicks

Williams

2006

Clinical Anatomy

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Arachnoid calcifications have been imaged on axial-CT and MRI. These often clinically asymptomatic deposits have been attributed to trauma, myelography (particularly with the use of oil-based contrast), subarachnoid hemorrhage, and spinal anesthesia. This report describes calcified arachnoid plaques in an 86-year-old male cadaver located in the dorsal thoracic level. A laminectomy from C4 to the lumbo-sacral junction was performed and the dura mater was transected and pinned aside. Three plaques between T2-T3, 3 at T7, 2 at T9 were noted. Plaques were 1.0 mm in thickness and ranged from 0.5 cm to 1.0 cm in diameter. The spinal cord or nerve roots were not displaced. The plaques stained positively with Von Kossa and Alizarin Red S staining, confirming that the deposits included calcium phosphate and calcium. Arachnoid calcifications are an incidental finding in cadavers and typically do not compress the spinal cord or nerve roots. However such plaques may be precursors to spinal arachnoid ossificans, a more serious condition that may cause spinal cord or nerve root compression.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Spinal arachnoid calcifications

Wijdicks

Williams

2006

Clinical Anatomy

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“…Certainly, it is true that calcified and ossified plaques are a common postmortem finding in the arachnoid mater. Knoblich and Olsen (1966) examined 217 unselected necropsy patients. They found that 43.3%O of the spinal cords and membranes examined had arachnoid calcification, most commonly in the lower thoracic and lumbar regions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Arachnoid calcification producing spinal cord compression.

McCullough¹

1975

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry

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“…These features indicative of true ossification have been noted systematically. Knoblich and Olsen, 13 however, subsequently con-sidered that incidental plaque could be calcified or ossified. The absence of calcium crystal deposits in AO may be a histological indication for differentiating AO from incidental isolated leptomeningeal calcification.…”

Section: Histological Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Arachnoiditis ossificans of the cauda equina

Faure

Khalfallah²,

Perrouin-Verbe³

et al. 2002

Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine

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✓ The authors describe a case of arachnoiditis ossificans (AO) of the cauda equina. The lesion is a rare pathological entity usually confined to the thoracic and high lumbar regions that can cause progressive spinal cord and cauda equina compression, inducing severe neurological deterioration. The authors analyze the clinical symptoms, radiological features, histological data, and treatment options relating to this case and 13 others described in the literature; additionally, they consider the possible mechanisms responsible for ossification of the leptomeninges. Although clustered arachnoidal cells are usually implicated in its pathogenesis, an environment induced by arachnoiditis and disturbed cerebrospinal fluid flow appears to be a more important factor. A therapeutic strategy is proposed for AO for which no effective treatment currently exists.

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Calcified and Ossified Plaques of the Spinal Arachnoid Membranes

Cited by 34 publications

References 6 publications

Spinal arachnoid calcifications

Spinal arachnoid calcifications

Arachnoid calcification producing spinal cord compression.

Arachnoiditis ossificans of the cauda equina

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