Diagnostic accuracy of panoramic radiography in the detection of calcified carotid artery.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the panoramic radiograph in the detection of carotid artery calcification using CT as the gold standard.


METHODS
110 dental patients (average age 65.2 years, range 50-82 years) with both panoramic radiographs and CT scans available were selected for the evaluation of carotid artery calcification. Two oral and maxillofacial radiologists interpreted the panoramic radiographs for the presence of carotid artery calcification. CT scans were independently interpreted by a neuroradiologist.


RESULTS
The accuracy of panoramic radiographs in the detection of carotid artery calcification was 62.3%. The sensitivity and the specificity were 22.2% and 90.0%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Panoramic radiography has a moderate diagnostic accuracy in the detection of carotid artery calcification, but the sensitivity is low.
Yoon
S-J
SJ
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Donggu Hakdong 5, Gwangju, 501-757, Korea. yoonfr@chonnam.ac.kr
Yoon
W
W
Kim
O-S
OS
Lee
J-S
JS
Kang
B-C
BC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed