Discrimination between calcified triticeous cartilage and calcified carotid atheroma on panoramic radiography.
The differential diagnosis of calcified atherosclerotic plaque in the extracranial carotid vasculature includes a number of anatomic and pathologic radiopacities. Most of these are readily distinguishable on the basis of location and morphologic features. The calcified triticeous cartilage, however, can be a confounding alternative that is frequently misdiagnosed as a calcified atheroma. This paper describes the radiographic differences between these 2 entities, enabling clinicians to improve their diagnostic acumen when evaluating cervical soft tissue calcifications.
Carter
L C
LC
Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Imaging Clinic, Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, USA. lccarter@acsu.buffalo.edu
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D006818:Hyalin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007817:Laryngeal Cartilages / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic