Table 1.

Diagnostic criteria for spontaneous calcified cerebral emboli.

Compulsory (Major) criteria

A small circular/oval lesion that is hyperdense (>70 HU) on unenhanced CT and localises to the corresponding cerebral arterial tract vasculature within the cerebral parenchyma AND For symptomatic CCE only, the hyperdense lesion is located in a clinically relevant area AND Absence of recent procedures such as cardiac catheterisation, calcified aortic/mitral valve replacement or carotid manipulation

Supportive (Minor) criteria

Embolic source present such as carotid/aorta atherosclerosis, aortic/mitral valve calcification Presence of BAV if no embolic source is found Previous CCE CCE localised to MCA Chronic kidney disease

HU, Hounsfield unit; CT, Computed tomography; CCE, Calcified cerebral emboli; BAV, bicuspid aortic valve; MCA, middle cerebral artery.