ABSTRACT
Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine whether digital panoramic radiography is a reliable method to detect calcified carotid artery atheromatous plaques (CCAAP) as compared with ultrasonography. Study Design: Digital panoramic radiographs were obtained from 50 patients who also underwent carotid ultrasound examination. The images were interpreted by trained maxillofacial radiologist for the presence or absence of calcified atheromatous plaques. The extent of carotid calcification on carotid ultrasonography was determined by a trained Sonologist, which was considered as the gold standard assessment. Results: Digital panoramic radiographs had a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 98.66% in determining CCAAP. There was a high level of agreement between diagnoses, with a kappa value of 0.8. Conclusion: To conclude, digital panoramic radiographs had good sensitivity and high specificity in detecting CCAAP. If properly trained, dentists can detect such plaques and can refer patients to physician for timely medical treatment.
Subject(s)
Calcinosis/diagnostic imaging , Calcinosis/diagnostic imaging , Carotid Artery Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Carotid Artery Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Plaque, Atherosclerotic/diagnostic imaging , Plaque, Atherosclerotic/diagnostic imaging , Radiography, Panoramic/methods , Ultrasonography/methodsABSTRACT
A presença de ateromas de carótida é associada ao desenvolvimento de acidente vascular encefálico, angina, enfarto do miocárdio e morte. Como a radiografia panorâmica é um dos exames mais utilizados na rotina odontológica, é fundamental evidenciar ateromas calcificados na artéria carótida de pacientes em acompanhamento odontológico a fim de encaminhá-los a avaliação médica na qual outros exames serão feitos para confirmação de diagnóstico e tratamento adequado. Foram avaliadas fichas de pacientes inativos da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Estácio de Sá (RJ). Dos 29 pacientes examinados, seis (20,68%) apresentaram ateromas de carótida. Estes pacientes tinham idade compreendida entre 52 e 73 anos. O objetivo deste trabalho é elucidar como os ateromas de carótida podem ser vistos nas radiografias panorâmicas pelo clínico geral.
The presence of carotid atheroma is associated with the development of stroke, angina, myocardial infarction and death. As long as panoramic radiography is one of the most used exams in routine dental care, is very important for the general dentist to evidence calcified carotid artery atheromas of the patients, in order to direct them to the medical evaluation in which other procedures will be done to confirm the diagnosis and appropriated treatment. We evaluated inactive patient records from the College of Dentistry of Estácio de Sá University (RJ, Brazil). From the total of 29 patients examined, 6 (20.68%) had carotid atheroma. These patients were aged between 52 and 73 years. The objective of this paper is to elucidate how the carotid atheroma can be seen on panoramic radiographs by the general dentist.