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[Spontaneous cerebral calcium embolism]
E Martínez-Fernández1, E Gil-Néciga, P Mir
1Servicio de Neurolog a; Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, 41071, Espa a. med010426@nacom.es
Insights
Calcium embolism, a rare stroke cause, is diagnosed via CT scans showing calcified material in brain arteries. Observing the calcified material migrate confirms this uncommon condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Calcium embolism is an infrequent cause of stroke, often undiagnosed without cardiac surgery or catheterization.
- Emboli originate from cardiac valves or calcified atheroma in the aorta or carotid arteries.
Observation:
- Two patients presented with cerebral infarcts due to spontaneous calcium embolism.
- Neuroimaging, specifically CT scans, revealed dense points of calcified material within cerebral arteries.
Findings:
- CT scans are crucial for diagnosing calcium embolism.
- The migration of calcified material along the artery confirmed the diagnosis in one case.
Implications:
- Cranial CT scans are essential for diagnosing calcium embolism.
- The necessity of valve replacement and the use of antiplatelets/anticoagulants remain uncertain.
- Further research is needed to establish optimal treatment strategies for calcium embolism.
Introduction:
Calcium embolism is an uncommon cause of stroke which may not be diagnosed in cases which do not involve cardiac surgery or catheterization. The emboli may come from cardiac valves or calcified atheroma of the aortic or carotid arteries.
Case Reports:
Two patients with cerebral infarcts secondary to spontaneous calcium embolism confirmed by neuro imaging. In both cases on CT scans there were dense points corresponding to calcified material within the middle cerebral artery or one of its branches. In the first case migration of the calcified point following the course of the artery was observed.
Conclusions:
Cranial CAT scans are essential for diagnosis of calcium embolism. Migration of the calcified point confirms the diagnosis. It is still not clear whether valve replacement is necessary in these patients and treatment with antiaggregants and/or anticoagulants is controversial.