Unusual Intracranial Arterial Calcification and Vitamin D Deficiency

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2018 Mar;27(3):816-818. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2017.09.030. Epub 2017 Oct 26.

Abstract

Although intracranial arterial calcifications (IACs) are encountered in approximately 85% of patients with acute ischemic stroke (IS), the significance of IAC in plaque instability is still controversial. Because most tissues including brain tissue have vitamin D receptors, vitamin D deficiency might play multiple roles in variable sites. Here, we report a novel presentation of IS with IAC including anterior cerebral artery involvement due to vitamin D deficiency. In conclusion, although the role of IAC in cerebral infarction is still controversial, we suggest that insufficient vitamin D should be examined and treated appropriately in all patients with IS. We believe that this article provides important implications for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency in patients with IS.

Keywords: Calcification; cerebral infarction; hypovitaminosis D; ischemic stroke; stroke.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Brain Ischemia / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Ischemia / etiology*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Arterial Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Intracranial Arterial Diseases / etiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Stroke / diagnostic imaging
  • Stroke / etiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vascular Calcification / diagnostic imaging
  • Vascular Calcification / etiology*
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives
  • Vitamin D / blood
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / complications*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / diagnosis
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / drug therapy

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Vitamin D
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D