The relationship between middle cerebral artery calcification and cerebral infarction: A contrast analysis by CT scanning / 中国脑血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective: To analyze the relationship between the calcification characteristics of middle cerebral artery (MCA) M1 segment and the cerebral infarction in its supplying areas. Methods: A total of 121 patients (151 arteries) with MCA M1 segment calcification in our hospital were diagnosed by CT from July to August 2005. The characteristics pattern of calcification, the location and its relation with the vessels were analyzed. Calcification scores were calculated using Cascoring automatic analysis software. Whether there were infarct foci and the numbers of infarct focus in the supplying areas of the bilateral MCA were determined. The incidence of cerebral infarction in MCA calcification group and MCA non-calcification group, as well as the relationship between with or without infarct foci in the MCA calcification group and the various calcification score indexes were analyzed statistically. Results: One hundred twenty-one arteries had sm all nodular calcifications, 18 had large nodular calcifications, and 12 had linear calcifications. The calcification of 76 arteries located in the proximal M1 segment, 55 in the middle M1 segment, and 20 in the distal M1 segment. The relationship between calcific plaques and arteries centripetal 43 arteries, eccentric 108 arteries. The incidence of cerebral infarction (51.7%) in the MCA calcification group was higher than that of the non-calcification group (27.5%), and there was statistical significance between the 2 groups (P < 0.01). The calcific volume, mass and score in the infarcted group were greater than those in the non-infarcted group (P < 0.01), and there was also statistical significance between the 2 groups (P < 0.01). Conclusion: CT volume scan may show tiny calcifications in MCA, and may classify and determine the location of calcifications. Whether MCA calcification or not and calcification scores in various indexes are closely associated with the development of cerebral infarction. The calcification group is more likely to develop cerebral infarction than the non-calcification group. The severity of calcification in the infarcted is more serious than that of the non-infarcted group.