Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify patients at the risk of cerebrovascular attack(CVA) via detecting calcified carotid artery atheroma(CCAA) in panoramic radiography and evaluating risk factors in them.
Study design: A total of 960 panoramic radiographs were evaluated of patients above 40 years who were referred to the Radiology Department of Mashhad School of Dentistry. Patients who had CCAA in their panoramic radiography were sent for Doppler Sonography(DS) to determine the presence of CCAA and degree of stenosis. Having completed a questionnaire by patients, the cardiovascular risk factors in two groups of with CCAA (12 subjects) and without CCAA (3subjects) were compared with each other. Patients with stenosis greater than 70% (2 subjects) were directed to a cardiovascular surgeon.
Results: In general, 15 patients (30 sides) showed calcification in their panoramic radiographs and were sent for DS in which 16 sides (12 patients) had CCAA and 14 sides had not. 2 patients (13.33%) showed stenosis greater than 70%. Statistical analysis including Fisher and independent t-test applied for data analysis. Among the risk factors, only age showed an association with the occurrence of carotid calcified atheroma (P=0.026).
Conclusion: Dentists should refer patients with radiographically identified atheromas especially elderly ones for more investigation because asymptomatic CCAA might be associated with high degrees of stenosis.

 Source: Journal of Dental Research, Dental Clinics, Dental Prospects

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