Prevalence of calcified carotid artery atheromas on panoramic images of individuals with primary hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVES: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), affecting 1% of the population, is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The presence of calcified carotid artery plaque (CCAP) on panoramic images is a validated risk indicator of future adverse cardiovascular events. We hypothesized that military veterans aged 50 years or older diagnosed with PHPT by increased parathyroid hormone and calcium levels would frequently have CCAP on their images. METHODS: We determined the prevalence rates of CCAP on the images of patients diagnosed with PHPT and evaluated their atherogenic risk profiles, including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and obesity. Comparisons of atherogenic risk factors were made between subjects with and without observed CCAP on their panoramic images. RESULTS: Of the 60 patients (86.7% males and 13.3% females, mean age 73.2 ± 11.3 years) with PHPT, 40% had atheromas. There were no significant differences between CCAP+ and CCAP- groups in gender or race (p > 0.05). The atherogenic profile (age, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia) in the CCAP+ and CCAP- groups was not significantly different (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Calcified carotid artery atheromas are often seen on the panoramic images of patients with PHPT. Thus, dentists must be uniquely vigilant for these lesions when evaluating these studies.

Panoramic images of white and black post-menopausal females evidencing carotid calcifications are at high risk of comorbid osteopenia of the femoral neck.

OBJECTIVES: Femoral neck fractures in older females resulting from decreased bone mineral density (BMD; osteopenia) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Bone mineralization inhibition is probably controlled by proteins which also foster vascular calcification. Therefore, we evaluated the relationship between calcified carotid artery plaque (CCAP) on panoramic images and BMD on dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone scans. METHODS: Images and hospital records identified by dentists defined two study groups (20 white females and 24 black females) having CCAP and an incidentally obtained bone scan. Ethnically matched (age±7 years, body mass index ±3 units) control groups with panoramic images devoid of CCAP and accompanying DXA scan were likewise constituted. A physician determined the BMD on the DXA. RESULTS: Females with CCAP had significantly (p = 0.03) poorer BMD at the femoral neck than those without CCAP. Although mean femoral neck BMD was significantly lower (p = 0.009) for white than for black females, there was no significant interaction between race and CCAP (p = 0.80). CONCLUSION: We observed a significant inverse association between the CCAP on panoramic images and femoral neck BMD in post-menopausal white females.