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Stroke attributable to a calcific embolus from the brachiocephalic trunk.
Ramez R Moustafa1, Nagui M Antoun, Richard A Coulden
1Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Stroke
|November 25, 2005
Summary
Calcific brain embolization, a rare stroke cause, can originate from the brachiocephalic trunk, not just heart valves. This case highlights the need to investigate aortic branches for calcific emboli sources.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Radiology
Background:
- Calcific brain embolization is uncommon, typically linked to cardiac valve issues.
- This case explores an unusual source of cerebral emboli: the brachiocephalic trunk.
Observation:
- A patient presented with stroke symptoms due to a calcific embolus in the right middle cerebral artery.
- Imaging revealed significant calcification in the brachiocephalic trunk and right common carotid artery origin.
- Standard cardiac and carotid evaluations did not identify the embolus source.
Findings:
- Computed tomography confirmed a calcific embolus causing acute cerebral infarction.
- The brachiocephalic trunk's calcification was identified as the likely source of the embolus.
- Radiotherapy for breast cancer was a potential contributing factor to the brachiocephalic trunk calcification.
Implications:
- Systematic investigation for unusual sources of calcific emboli is crucial in stroke diagnosis.
- The aorta and its major branches should be considered potential, albeit rare, origins of calcific cerebral emboli.
- This case expands the differential diagnosis for calcific embolization leading to stroke.