title: Elongated styloid process and atheroma in panoramic radiography and its relationship with systemic osteoporosis and osteopenia.
abstract: Association between the presence of an elongated styloid process, vascular calcification (atheroma) and the potential risk factor for osteoporosis was studied. Presence of an elongated styloid process was found to be correlated with systemic osteoporosis and also between elongated styloid process and atheroma.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The association between the presences of an elongated styloid process and vascular calcification (atheroma) with the potential risk factor assessment for osteoporosis was studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bone mineral density obtained by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry diagnosed osteopenia/osteoporosis on at least two of three sites (column, hips, and forearm) of 50 female patients. Panoramic maxillomandibular radiographs were taken and analyzed. Elongation of the styloid processes was measured and the presence of atheromas in the carotid was investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty percent of the patients presented at least one side with elongated styloid process and the highest prevalence (87.5%) occurred in individuals between 60 and 69 years. Atheroma was found in four patients, three of which presented elongated styloid on at least one side and had diagnosed osteoporosis on at least two of the evaluated sites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Correlation was found between the elongation of the styloid process and systemic osteoporosis, and between elongated styloid process and atheroma. The method in this study might be used as part of a method for osteopenia/osteoporosis and atheroma risk assessment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Stomatology and Physiology, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: P C A
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.forename: J P M
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Issa
authors.forename: S A C
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.forename: F J A
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: de Paula
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tiossi
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000150:complications*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging