title: The Prevalence of Carotid Artery Calcification on the Panoramic Radiographs in Cappadocia RegionPopulation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to determine retrospectively the presence of carotid artery calcifications (CACs) detected on panoramic radiographs (PRs) in a group of Turkish population. Further, the relationships between CACs and gender, life style, and medical history were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the years 2004 to 2006, a random sample of 1282 PRs was collected from patients older than 40 years who were being treated by the School of Dentistry, Erciyes University. Of these 1282 PRs, 750 PRs were included in this study. Medical data was collected from the archival records of the dental school.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 38 (5.06%) CACs were found on the PRs of 12 (4.5%) males and 26 (5.4%) females. The CAC prevalence was not significantly different between the males and females (P=0.583). These calcifications were unilateral in 26 (68.4%) and bilateral in 12 (31.6%) subjects. Of those in the positive group, there were 12 subjects (31.58%) with hyperlipidemia, 12 subjects (31.58%) with hypertension, 7 subjects (18.4%) with diabetes mellitus, 6 subjects (15.8%) with cardiovascular disease, and 6 subjects (15.8%) with smoking history.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has the highest CACs prevalence in comparison to the other studies. Therefore, dentists caring for subjects with dental problems should carefully evaluate their PRs for the evidence of CACs, and refer them for medical evaluation as indicated. So, incidental findings could provide life-saving information.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor and Chair, Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yildiray
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sisman
authors.forename: Elif Tarim
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Ertas
authors.forename: Cumali
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gokce
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Menku
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ulker
authors.forename: Faruk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akgunlu