Background

Intracranial calcification is common intracranial findings and the underlying causes could be either benign physiological or variety of pathological processes. Conventional radiography had been replaced by computed tomography (CT) as the ideal modality due to its high sensitivity. Likewise, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful modality for detection of calcification [1]. Subcortical calcification is also a non-specific finding. However, subcortical calcification secondary to arteriovenous malformation and dural venous fistula are uncommon findings [2]. We report two cases with subcortical calcification secondary to these vascular malformations. This is to highlight the importance of recognising subcortical calcification as one of the possible imaging appearances of dural venous fistula and arteriovenous malformation.

Case presentation 1

A 45-year-old lady presented with a first episode of generalised tonic-clonic seizure, which progressed to status epilepticus. She was previously well with no known medical illness. She had a non-contrast-enhanced CT (NCECT) brain which showed extensive, fairly symmetrical subcortical calcification at bilateral cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres with calcification of bilateral basal ganglia (Fig. 1a, b). White matter hypodensities were also noted at bilateral cerebral hemispheres. Subsequent MRI of the brain showed multiple serpiginous dilated cortical veins in the left cerebral hemisphere and posterior fossa with absence of nidus, consistent with dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF). There were also bilateral cerebral white matter hyperintensities on T2-weighted (T2W) and fluid attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) images (Fig. 1c). She later underwent digital substraction angiography (DSA) which showed dural AVF involving communication between the right superior temporal artery and superior sagittal sinus, left anterior choroidal artery and left sigmoid sinus, left posterior auricular artery and left sigmoid sinus, and left posterior inferior cerebellar artery and left transverse sinus (Fig. 1d). She was offered embolisation but opted for conservative management. Her seizure was well-controlled upon discharge and she is currently waiting for her next follow-up.

Fig. 1
figure 1

a, b Axial NCECT brain shows subcortical calcification (black arrows). c Axial T2W MRI brain shows white matter hyperintensity (large white arrows) and dilated veins (small white arrow). d DSA of left ECA image in coronal view shows multiple abnormal communication between ECA branches and left sigmoid sinus dural AVF (small black arrows)

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Case presentation 2

A 20-year-old male presented with a first episode of generalised tonic-clonic seizure. Prior to the seizure, he complained of right eye redness and pain. NCECT brain showed extensive, fairly symmetrical subcortical calcification at bilateral cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres with calcification of both basal ganglia. White matter hypodensities were noted at bilateral cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres. Hyperdense serpiginous structures were also noted in the posterior fossa, suggestive of dilated vessels. In addition, bilateral lateral and third ventricles were dilated with preserved fourth ventricle, suggestive of obstructive hydrocephalus (Fig. 2a, b). Subsequent MRI brain showed multiple dilated serpiginous flow voids in the periventricular region, consistent with a nidus, with large draining veins into the internal cerebral veins, in keeping with arteriovenous malformation (AVM). T2W images showed subcortical white matter hypointensities which correlated with area of calcification noted on CT (Fig. 2c). DSA showed pericallosal AVM with the right anterior cerebral artery supplying the nidus and drainage via internal cerebral veins. He is scheduled for embolisation later. His seizure is currently well-controlled with medication.

Fig. 2
figure 2

a, b Axial NCECT brain shows subcortical calcification (black arrow) and white matter hypodensity (white arrow). c Axial T2W MRI brain shows dilated veins (white arrowhead) and nidus of AVM (black arrow head). d DSA of right ICA shows nidus of AVM (small black arrow) and large draining vein (small white arrow). Note dilated ventricles on NCECT (b) and MRI (c)

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Discussion

AVMs are abnormal communication between the arteries and veins with the absence of intervening capillary bed. It is reported that 0.1% of the population harbours an AVM and the prevalence is estimated to be 10–18 per 100,000 population [3]. Dural AVFs are abnormal arteriovenous channel within the dura mater, involving a dural sinus and/or cortical vein, which constitute 10–15% of all intracranial arteriovenous shunts [2, 3]. Calcification of the abnormal vessels with or without oedema and intracranial haemorrhages are common imaging findings of AVMs [4]. The main CT finding of dural AVF is haemorrhage or focal oedema [5]. Calcification associated with arteriovenous malformation is also not uncommon. However, calcification of the brain parenchyma, separate from the malformation, is less commonly encountered. In the case of dural AVF, bilateral subcortical and basal ganglia calcifications are rarely reported [2].

In our patients, both had almost similar CT findings which are extensive, fairly symmetrical subcortical calcification involving the cerebrum, cerebellum, and basal ganglia. These were associated with white matter hypodensities in both of the cases. Almost similar findings were reported by Yang et al. [6], Sayani et al. [2], Metoki et al. [5], and Saade et al. [7]. Subcortical calcifications are not a disease-specific finding. It is also seen in other diseases such as Sturge-Weber syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, Fahr disease, post-chemoradiotherapy change, and metabolic disorders secondary to parathyroid or thyroid gland abnormalities. Corpus striatum and dentate nuclei calcification is also commonly seen in these diseases [1, 2, 6, 7]. The exact mechanism of the calcification remains unknown and poorly understood. It is important to note that, in our cases, the underlying pathology for the aforementioned CT findings were of two different entities, dural AVF and AVM, respectively. Interestingly, both cases manifested with almost similar CT appearances.

AVF and AVM are known to cause venous congestion in the brain. Hence, we postulate that the calcification is attributed to the persistent venous congestion, caused by the arteriovenous abnormal communication, resulting in venous hypertension. This is further supported by the development of white matter hypodensity, suggestive of white matter oedema, and dilated veins. This hypothesis is in concordance with Lai et al. [8]. Together with Metoki et al. [5], Chen et al. [9], and Yu et al. [10], they also postulated that these findings could also be secondary to ‘steal’ phenomenon.

Venous congestion or ‘steal’ phenomenon is believed to cause calcification at the hypoperfused brain parenchyma or secondary to dystrophic mural changes of the congested veins [6]. This is true in our cases as the areas of subcortical calcification did follow the areas of white matter hypodensities, indicating areas of venous congestion. The subcortical white matter is located at the watershed area, which renders it prone to hypoxic or ischaemic insult. Basal ganglia are likewise prone to similar insult due to its high metabolic rate [9]. Therefore, this could explain the presence of basal ganglia calcification in both of our cases.

Conclusions

We deduce that although uncommon, subcortical and basal ganglia calcification is an important radiological finding in patients with venous hypertension or congestion. With this knowledge, identifying subcortical calcification should alert the reporting radiologist to look for evidence of venous hypertension, and subsequently to the cause of venous hypertension or congestion such as vascular malformation.