[Spontaneous cerebral calcium embolism].
BACKGROUND
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.


METHODS
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.
Martínez-Fernández
E
E
Servicio de Neurolog a; Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, 41071, Espa a. med010426@nacom.es
Gil-Néciga
E
E
Mir
P
P
Gil-Peralta
A
A
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000473:pathology; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000925:Anticoagulants