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The morphologic analysis of a not well-known anatomical structure's calcifications (Bochdalek's flower basket
1Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mugla Sıtkı Koçman University, Mentese, Mugla, Turkey. emrahdogan@mu.edu.tr.
Background:
The aim of the study was to define the morphology of calcifications belonging to a not very well-known anatomical structure (calcification of foramen of Luschka/Bochdalek's flower basket calcification [Boc FBC]).
Materials And Methods:
Two hundred sixty-four computed tomography (CT) scans obtained from healthy patients were included in the study (50.0038 ± 24.78309 [0-92 years old] [mean age ± standard deviation; range]). The morphology of the calcifications in the fourth ventricle (CFV) and Boc FBC was evaluated and compared with other common intracranial calcifications in each patient.
Results:
Boc FBC was detected in 22.35% (59/264) of the patients. Out of 101 patients aged above 60 years, 59 presented Boc FBC (the rate increased to 55.45%), thus in our sample 94.91% of the detected Boc FBCs (56/59) were seen after 60 years of age. No Boc FBC was found under the age of 50. Statistically, there was a highly significant correlation between Boc FBC and pineal/habenular (p < 0.01) as well as choroid plexus calcifications (p < 0.01). The correlation between CFV and Boc FBC was significant (p < 0.05). It was found that 37.3% of Boc FBCs had a conical form. This form was not accompanied by any vascular calcifications, either basilar or vertebral. Therefore, seeing the conical form was valuable in the differential diagnosis.
Conclusions:
In our study, Boc FBCs were seen in advanced age and were not encountered under the age of 50. The conical form was seen in one-third of the cases, but it was a very beneficial finding for distinguishing Boc FBC from other calcifications if any. In the advanced age group, calcifications, especially choroid plexus calcifications and pineal/habenular calcifications, are highly associated with Boc FBC. In the presence of CFV, the probability of encountering Boc FBC is very high.
