Prevalence of carotid artery calcifications detected on panoramic radiographs and confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography: Their relationship with systemic conditions.

Context: Atherosclerosis affects large and medium caliber arteries by forming calcific atheromas, precursors of cerebral vascular disease. Diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hypertension are considered as risk factors of atherosclerosis. Panoramic radiographs can display images suggestive of carotid artery calcifications (CACs). Aims: To investigate the prevalence of images suggestive of CAC in panoramic radiographs of the jaws (PRJs) and confirm them by Doppler ultrasonography. To evaluate their anatomic locations and relationships between systemic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, and obesity) and the presence of unilateral or bilateral CAC detected on PRJ or by Doppler ultrasonography. Materials and Methods: Of the 723 routinely performed PRJ in patients over 40 years at the Radiology Center in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, 21 PRJ containing images suggestive of CAC were selected in this cross‑sectional study. The findings from the PRJ were confirmed by Doppler sonography. Results: Images suggestive of CAC was detected in 21 (2.9%) of the PRJ evaluated, consisting of 11 (52.4%) hypertensive, 7 (33.3%) diabetics, and 9 (42.9%) obese. There was a higher prevalence of hypertensive patients in the unilateral CAC group (100%) and bilateral CAC (60%) compared to patients without CAC (25%). Conclusions: CACs can be detected in PRJs, and are more frequent in common carotid arteries. No significant associations were detected between the presence of unilateral or bilateral CAC in PRJ and hypertension, diabetes, or obesity.

Sensitivity and accuracy of panoramic radiography in identifying calcified carotid atheroma plaques

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can cause death and physical and/ormental disabilities. It represents a serious public health problem owing to the high healthcare costsinvolved in rehabilitating patients. Among the different methods available for diagnosingatherosclerotic disease, color Doppler examination may be considered the “gold standard.” Onthe other hand, panoramic radiography of the jaws (PRJ) is a diagnostic resource commonlyused by dentists, and the obtained images allow examining other structures apart from the maxillaand the mandible. Aim: To evaluate the sensitivity and accuracy of panoramic radiography inidentifying calcified carotid atheroma, and compare the results to those obtained with color Dopplerexamination. Methods: Forty-two cervical regions were evaluated in panoramic radiographsand color Doppler scans. The kappa test (p < 0.05) was used to assess agreement between theexaminations. Data were tested for sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value, as well aspositive and negative likelihood ratios. Results: The kappa value was 0.11. The sensitivity andspecificity of PRJ were 73.9 and 36.8%, respectively, and the positive and negative likelihoodratios were 1.2 and 0.7, respectively. Conclusions: Although a low correlation between PRJand color Doppler examination was observed, as shown by the kappa test, the sensitivity of PRJin identifying calcified carotid atheroma was considered acceptable.

Avaliação dos hábitos de higiene bucal em crianças durante período de internação hospitalar / Evaluation of oral hygiene habits of children during hospitalization

O objetivo deste estudo foi o de avaliar os hábitos de higiene bucal empregados por crianças durante operíodo de internação hospitalar, a fim de orientar na formulação de estratégias para abordagem da saúde bucal neste espaço diferenciado. Foi realizado um estudo observacional de corte transversal, no qualforam coletados dados de 91 crianças por meio de seus cuidadores, utilizando-se um questionário cujo conteúdo incluiu dados pessoais do cuidador e da criança, acesso à assistência odontológica, comportamentos e hábitos de higiene bucal adotados durante o período de internação hospitalar. Observou-se uma baixa adesão a procedimentos de higiene bucal (67%), reduzido acesso à assistência odontológica(9,9%) e a desvalorização da saúde bucal no contexto da criança hospitalizada. Além disso, observou-se associação significante (p<0,05) entre a adoção de hábitos de higiene bucal e as variáveis: idade da criança,uso de chupeta e atendimento prévio por um cirurgião-dentista. Os resultados sugerem a necessidade de problematizar a abordagem da promoção de saúde bucal em ambiente hospitalar.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral hygiene habits employed by children hospitalization toformulate strategies for dealing oral health in this different space. This was a cross-sectional study inwhich data were collected from 91 children by their caregivers, using a questionnaire which includedpersonal data of the caregiver and the children, access to dental care, behavior and habits of oral hygieneused during the period of hospitalization. There was a low adherence to procedures (67%) and oralhygiene, reduced access to dental care (9.9%) and oral health devaluation in the hospitalized child. Inaddition there was an association significant (p<0.05) between the use of oral hygiene habits and thevariables: age child, pacifier use and prior access to dental care. The results suggest the need to discuss the approach oral health promotion in hospitals.

Radiografia panorâmica como possível método de diagnóstico de pacientes com risco de acidente vascular cerebral: revisão da literatura / Panoramic radiography as possible diagnostic method for patients with stroke risk: a literature review

Introdução: A aterosclerose é uma doença inflamatória crônica que pode ser causa de morte e incapacitação física/mental, representando um sério problema de saúde pública devido aos altos custos desprendidos com a reabilitação dos pacientes. Dentre os diferentes métodos para diagnosticar doenças ateroscleróticas, a angiografia é considerada o "padrão-ouro". No entanto, outros métodos de diagnóstico de imagem têm sido citados na literatura. Desde 1981, a presença de determinadas imagens radiopacas em radiografias panorâmicas tem sido descrita como sinal da presença de placas de ateroma carotídeas calcificadas. Apesar do benefício social que a radiografia panorâmica traria como novo método de diagnóstico para esse tipo de doença aterosclerótica, diminuindo assim o risco de acidente vascular cerebral, ainda existem controvérsias na literatura sobre seu uso como método confiável para esse fim. Objetivo: Nessa revisão vamos expor algumas das obras mais relevantes publicadas sobre esse assunto desde o primeiro estudo, em 1981, analisando a possibilidade do uso da radiografia panorâmica como exame de triagem para pacientes suscetíveis a acidente vascular cerebral. Métodos: No período de setembro de 2010 a março de 2011 foram utilizados os bancos de dados eletrônico do Medline e Lilacs para a seleção dos estudos. Foram incluídos aqueles que relacionavam o exame radiográfico panorâmico e a doença aterosclerótica. Conclusão: Existem divergências na literatura estudada, no que se refere à confiabilidade da radiografia panorâmica como método de diagnóstico de pacientes com risco de Acidente Vascular Cerebral. Novos estudos devem ser realizados a fim de determinar a sensibilidade e especificidade, bem como os valores preditivos, positivo e negativo, desse exame na identificação de placa de ateroma carotídea calcificada. Além disso, a generalização do conhecimento sobre o referido tema, bem como a capacitação de cirurgiões dentistas gerais na identificação do problema deve ser instituída.

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that can cause death and physical/mental disability, representing a serious public health problem due to cost related to the rehabilitation of the patients. Among the different methods to diagnose atherosclerotic disease, angiography is considered the "gold standard". However, other methods of diagnostic imaging have been cited in the literature. Since 1981, the presence of certain radiopaque images in panoramic radiographs has been described as a sign of the presence of calcified carotid atheromatous plaques. Despite the social benefit that panoramic radiography would provide as a new diagnostic method for this type of atherosclerotic disease, thereby reducing the risk of stroke, there is still controversy in literature about its use as a reliable method for this purpose. Objective: This review will expose some of the most relevant works published on this subject since the first study in 1981 examining the possibility of the use of panoramic radiography as a screening test for patients susceptible to stroke. Methods: From September 2010 to March 2011 was used the electronic databases Medline and Lilacs for the selection of studies. Was included those that related the panoramic radiographs and atherosclerotic disease. Conclusion: There are differences in the literature studied in relation to the reliability of panoramic radiography as a method to diagnose patients at risk for stroke. Further studies should be conducted to determine the sensitivity and specificity as well as predictive values, positive and negative, in this radiography for the identification of calcified carotid atheroma. Moreover, the generalization of knowledge on that topic as well as training of general dentists in identifying the problem should be instituted.