title: The correlation between carotid siphon calcification and lacunar infarction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between carotid siphon (CS) calcification and lacunar infarction caused by small-vessel disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study included 445 patients (M/F = 256:189) older than 40 years (mean age 60.0 ± 12.3 years, range 41-98 years) without large intracranial lesions who had undergone both brain CT and MRI within an interval of 6 months. The patients were classified into three groups according to the number of lacunar infarctions: group I-zero infarctions (n = 328), group II-one to three infarctions (n = 94), and group III-four or more infarctions (n = 23). The severity of CS calcification was evaluated on CT and scored on a five-point scale (0-none, 1-stippled, 2-thin continuous or thick discontinuous, 3-thick continuous, 4-double tracts), and the calcification scores on both sides were summed. An ANOVA test was used to compare calcification scores among the three groups, and a logistic regression test was used to evaluate the influence of CS calcification and known cerebrovascular risk factors on the occurrence of lacunar infarction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On the ANOVA test, total calcification scores were significantly different among the three groups (group I = 1.28 ± 1.99, group II = 3.31 ± 2.39, group III = 4.36 ± 2.08; P < 0.05). Higher rates of lacunar infarction were associated with higher CS calcification scores. On the logistic regression test, CS calcification, age, and hypertension were significant risk factors for lacunar infarction (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CS calcification was correlated with the occurrence of lacunar infarction. The degree of CS calcification may be used to predict the possibility of a future lacunar infarction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, 516 Gojan1-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi, 425-707, South Korea.
authors.forename: Nu Rhee
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Hyung Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Young Hen
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jung Hyuk
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hae Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Seol
authors.forename: Nam Joon
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sang-Il
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Suh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D059409:Stroke, Lacunar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed