Anatomy and Cell Biology

Korean Association of Anatomists (대한해부학회)
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Frequency, shape, and estimated volume of intracranial physiologic calcification in different age groups investigated by brain computed tomography scan: a retrospective study

  • Mehrdad Ghorbanlou (Student Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences) ;
  • Fatemeh Moradi (Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences) ;
  • Mehdi Mehdizadeh (Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences)
  • Received : 2021.07.02
  • Accepted : 2021.09.28
  • Published : 2022.03.31
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Abstract

Intracranial calcification is referred to calcification of parenchyma and vascular structures in brain which can be physiologic or pathologic. This study was conducted with the purpose of investigating the frequency, location, pattern, dimensions and estimated volume of intracranial physiologic calcification (IPC) by computer tomography in different age groups. In this cross-sectional retrospective study, brain computed tomography scans of 216 patients were analyzed in 9 age groups each containing 24 patients from 2 to 89 years old. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA, post hoc Tukey), chi square, and linear regression tests (P≤0.05 was considered significant). Rate of calcification in different areas were as follows: pineal gland (75.0%), habenula (36.4%), pineohabenula (15.0%), right lateral ventricle choroid plexus (RCP) (67.7%), left lateral ventricle choroid plexus (LCP) (62.7%), falx cerebri (26.8%), petroclinoid ligament (13.2%), tentorium cerebelli (6.8%), third ventricle choroid plexus (0.9%), fourth ventricle choroid plexus (2.7%), basal ganglia (0.9%). A significant correlation exists between the presence of calcification in pineal, habenula, RCP, and LCP (P≤0.001). Nodular shape of calcification was dominant (47.9%). Estimated volume of pineal calcification showed increased levels in group 8 (70-79 years old) compared to group 2 (10-19 years old) (P≤0.05). Since the accurate description of radiologic appearance of IPCs (location, shape, and size) accompanied with age and clinical manifestation is of great importance in diagnosis and distinguishing from pathologic calcification-for example in patients with melatonin dysregulation or schizophrenic patients-this study was required.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was funded by student research committee of Iran University of medical sciences (99-3-15-18468). We also express our gratitude to Mr. Habib Rostami as the supervisor of medical imaging department of Shariati hospital, Mahdasht, Iran and Tajhiz Teb Arka Iranian company.

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