Physiological Intracranial Calcification in Eastern Indian Population-A CT Scan Study

Abstract

Background and Aims:Knowledge of physiological calcification in brain parenchyma is essential to avoid misinterpretation during radiological evaluation. The calcifications are commonly seen in pineal gland, falx cerebri, tentorium cerebelli and choroid plexus. Objective:To determine the incidence of physiological intracranial calcification and its relationship to age and sex in eastern Indian population. Materials and Method: A cross sectional descriptive study of CT scan brain was performed in age group between 20-80 yrs in eastern India. The study was conducted on 64 Slice MDCT PHILIPS Brilliance. Bulk of our patients was of road traffic accidents and routine CT scan study revealed these physiological calcifications and did not possess any morphological abnormality. Results: 852 patients of which 503 male and 349 female were studied and overall 1429 separate calcified areas were identified due to co-existent calcifications in most of the patients. The incidence of calcification was in pineal gland (62%), choroid plexus (53%), dura mater (26%), basal ganglia (2.8%), dentate nucleus (1.4%) and Habenular nuclei (6%). Incidence is more in male than in female. Conclusion: Physiological calcifications in some of the intracranial structures are not a very uncommon finding and it should not be confused with a pathological one.

Physiological Intracranial Calcifications - A Study in Coastal Karnataka

“…Som et al studied intracranial calcifications in Kolkata India. 3 They included 100 CT studies and did study on a 64 slice multidetector CT. Pineal calcifications was seen on 62%, choroid plexus calcifications was seen in 54%, dura mater calcifications noted in 26% and basal ganglia calcifications present in 8%. Bora et al studied intracranial calcifications in Pondichery India.…”

“…2 It is important to identify these physiological calcifications so as to not falsely call them as pathology, eg: haemorrhage. 3 These calcifications are known to occur secondary to calcium deposition and less due to iron deposition in the vasculature of these structures. 4 There are many modalities by which these calcifications can be examined, of which skull radiograph and ultrasonography have less sensitivity and specificity.…”