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The correlation between carotid siphon calcification and lacunar infarction

  • Diagnostic Neuroradiology
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Abstract

Introduction

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).

Conclusion

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.

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Abbreviations

CS:

Carotid siphon

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

M:

Male

F:

Female

TR:

Repetition time

TE:

Echo time

FLAIR:

Fluid attenuation inversion recovery

HU:

Hounsfield unit

OR:

Odds ratio

CI:

Confidence interval

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Conflict of Interest

We declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, 516 Gojan1-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi, 425-707, South Korea

    Nu Rhee Hong, Hyung Suk Seo & Young Hen Lee

  2. Department of Radiology, Korea University Anam Hospital, 126-1 Anam-dong, Sungbuk-gu, Seoul, 136-705, South Korea

    Jung Hyuk Kim & Nam Joon Lee

  3. Department of Radiology, Korea University Guro Hospital, 80 Guro-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, 152-703, South Korea

    Hae Young Seol & Sang-il Suh

  4. Department of Radiology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, 516, Gojan-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi, South Korea, 425-020

    Hyung Suk Seo

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  1. Nu Rhee Hong
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Correspondence to Hyung Suk Seo.

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Hong, N.R., Seo, H.S., Lee, Y.H. et al. The correlation between carotid siphon calcification and lacunar infarction. Neuroradiology 53, 643–649 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-010-0798-y

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