MRI comment- calcified falx

by Calcified Falx
(Central US)

I have chronic migraine and other diagnosed headaches. After the most recent MRI I was told was 'normal', but when I got the report it said there was 'calcification of the falx' and something about 'no cerebral atrophy visible yet'. Yet? Nobody told me about this - frustrating. Now my doc is moving and I need to find another so have no chance to question my current neuro.

This leaves me wondering what calcification of the falx could mean and what it might have to do with chronic migraines and my symptoms.

Answer

Hi,

First of all, calcification of the falx is a benign usual finding on many CTs and MRI's. The falx is that part of the lining covering the brain that folds inward between the two hemispheres. As a person ages, calcifications can collect in this area and is considered an "incidental finding" on imaging. It is not related to your migraines.

As far as the atrophy comment,you do not give your age, but that too could be put down to "ruling out" conditions. Many times when dictating a report, a clinician may state " no atrophy, no aneurysms, no evidence of white matter lesions". They are just noting that they looked for this and found none. Just so you know..we are ALL going to have some atrophy of the brain as we age (myself included!).

By all means discuss the report with your new doctor.

Hope this helps..
Mary Kay Betz MS RPA-C