Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Hosn S, Elfeky M, Bell D, et al. Falx ossification. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 07 May 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-21815
In discussing mineralization of the falx cerebri, many radiology textbooks use the term falx calcification and make no mention of falx ossification.
Ossification of dural folds is relatively unusual; one study suggested a prevalence of falx ossification of 0.7% 1. Even though, ossification of an isolated site of the falx cerebri is very rare in medical literature 2.
None of the available literature had mentioned whether gender or ethnicity plays any role in falx ossification.
Associations
Incidence of falcine ossification has been reported in certain medical disorders such as 2-8:
Since the falx cerebri is derived from embryonic mesenchymal cells, occasional ossification might be seen due to friction, hemorrhage, or trauma, which results in some osteogenic changes leading to the formation of membranous bone.
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CT
CT scan can clearly distinguish an isolated ossification of the falx from ossification that has spread to the falx from the frontal bone 6.
MRI
On magnetic resonance images, falx ossification exhibits a typical appearance consisting of a central marrow-containing portion with signal intensity similar to fat (bright on T1), surrounded by low signal intensity representing cortical bone 1-8.
There is no difficulty identifying the ossification process on CT images, nevertheless on MRI images some differentials should be considered:
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1. Lee DH, Larson TC, Norman D. Falx ossification-MR visualization. Can Assoc Radiol J. 1989;39 (4): 260-2. Pubmed citation
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2. Suresh Rangoji RAO , et-al. Unusual isolated ossification of falx cerebri: a case report , Neuroanatomy (2007) 6: 54–55 , eISSN 1303-1775 • pISSN 1303-1783
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3. Debnath J, Satija L, George RA et-al. Computed tomographic demonstration of unusual ossification of the falx cerebri: a case report. Surg Radiol Anat. 2009;31 (3): 211-3. Surg Radiol Anat (full text) - doi:10.1007/s00276-008-0408-4 - Pubmed citation
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4. Tubbs RS, Kelly DR, Lott R et-al. Complete ossification of the human falx cerebri. Clin Anat. 2006;19 (2): 147-50. Clin Anat (abstract) - doi:10.1002/ca.20162 - Pubmed citation
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5. Sands SF, Farmer P, Alvarez O et-al. Fat within the falx: MR demonstration of falcine bony metaplasia with marrow formation. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1987;11 (4): 602-5. Pubmed citation
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6. Freyschmidt J, Brossmann J, Sternberg A et-al. Freyschmidt's "Koehler. Thieme. (2003) ISBN:1588901505. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
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7. Batnitzky S, Powers J, Schechter M. Falx “calcification” — Does this exist?. Neuroradiology. 1974;7 (5): 255-260. Neuroradiology (abstract) - doi:10.1007/BF00344244
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8. Tobias JA, Solla KP, Sheldon JJ et-al. MR demonstration of falx ossification: recognition and differential diagnosis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 1987;8 (3): 577-8. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol (citation) - Pubmed citation
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