title: Calcific cerebral arterial embolization in the setting of bacterial endocarditis superimposed on prior rheumatic aortic valvular disease.
abstract: Stroke from a calcific cerebral artery embolus demonstrated by noncontrast computed tomography (CT) is rare. Although the ability of CT to demonstrate early acute cerebral emboli is limited, in the uncommon event of a calcific cerebral embolus, CT can easily visualize the embolized material. We present an unusual case of calcific cerebral arterial embolization to the proximal middle cerebral artery and illustrate the usefulness of CT in diagnosing this rare entity in conjunction with important predisposing clinical factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Brooke Army Medical Center, 3851 Rodger Brooke Drive, Fort Sam, Houston, TX 78234, USA. darinmisty@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Darin B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watters
authors.forename: Clifford
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Belden
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Emery
authors.forename: Douglas P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Beall
mesh_terms: D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D020244:Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000150:complications*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed