Prevalence of carotid calcification detected on panoramic radiographs in a Saudi population from a training institute in Central Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of carotid artery calcification as detected on panoramic radiographs in a Saudi population.


METHODS
This cross sectional   study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia between March 2008 and January 2009. Five hundred and fifty-five panoramic radiographs of Saudi patients aged 30 years and above was collected from the patient charts. The panoramic radiographs were examined by 3 trained and calibrated examiners to detect any carotid artery calcification.


RESULTS
Carotid artery calcification was noted in 28 (5%) of the 555 radiographs. Among these, 21 images were obtained from men (3.75%) and 7 from women (1.25%).


CONCLUSIONS
Dentists should be aware of the techniques to detect carotid artery calcification on the widely used panoramic radiographs. Consequently, information on a life-threatening condition could be provided to the patient, and a precautionary treatment could be suggested.
Department of Periodontics and Community Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Halzoman@ksu.edu.sa
Hamad A
HA
Alzoman
Ra'ed I
RI
Al-Sadhan
Ziyad H
ZH
Al-Lahem
Abdullah N
AN
Al-Sakaker
Yasser F
YF
Al-Fawaz
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012529:Saudi Arabia