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Stone cold stroke: A case report of calcific emboli in an ischemic stroke

Anjalie Gulati1, Andres Rodriguez Sein2, Shibin Mathews2

  • 1University of California, Riverside, United States.

Radiology Case Reports
|March 25, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Calcific emboli, though rarely reported, can cause ischemic strokes. This case highlights a patient whose condition worsened, revealing new calcified emboli on CT scan, underscoring their underdiagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Surgery

Background:

  • Ischemic strokes result from reduced brain blood flow, often due to arterial blockage.
  • Embolic strokes, a type of ischemic stroke, occur when emboli from elsewhere lodge in cerebral vessels.
  • Calcific emboli are an underreported cause of ischemic stroke, frequently leading to underdiagnosis.

Observation:

  • A patient presented with stroke symptoms and a carotid plaque identified via imaging.
  • The patient's condition acutely worsened during hospitalization.
  • Follow-up head CT revealed numerous new calcified emboli.

Findings:

  • The case demonstrates a progression from carotid plaque to multiple calcific emboli.
  • This progression led to a significant worsening of the patient's ischemic stroke condition.
  • The findings emphasize the diagnostic challenge posed by calcific emboli.

Implications:

  • Increased awareness and diagnostic vigilance for calcific emboli are crucial.
  • Early identification of calcific emboli may improve stroke management strategies.
  • Further research is needed to understand the prevalence and mechanisms of calcific emboli in stroke.

Keywords:
Calcified emboliCarotid endarterectomyEmbolic strokeIschemic strokeStroke imagingStroke management

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