Fat in the cerebral falx.
BACKGROUND
Fat within the cerebral falx is commonly encountered in our daily practice but has never been characterized and reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of fat within the cerebral falx and to identify its clinical features.


METHODS
The cerebral falx was prospectively imaged in 1,570 consecutive brain computed tomographic scans and its features characterized. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging was done in some patients.


RESULTS
Of the 1,570 cases studied, 115 revealed a small amount of fat in the cerebral falx. This fat had a purely negative Hounsfield value. It produced a high signal on both T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. There was no calcified component. The fat was seen most commonly in aged patients. No related symptoms were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Among the patients studied, fat in the cerebral falx had an incidence of 7.3%. It is an incidental finding in adults and requires no further evaluation or treatment.
Chen
S S
SS
Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201, Section 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei 112, Taiwan, ROC.
Shao
K N
KN
Chiang
J H
JH
Chang
C Y
CY
Lao
C B
CB
Lirng
J F
JF
Teng
M M
MM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed