title: Detection of calcifications in panoramic radiographs in patients with carotid stenoses ≥50%.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Carotid stenoses ≥50% are associated with increased risk for stroke that can be reduced by prophylactic carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Calcifications in arteries can be detected in panoramic radiographs (PRs). In a cross-sectional study, we analyzed (1) extirpated plaques for calcification, (2) how often PRs disclosed calcified plaques, (3) how often patients with stenoses ≥50% presented calcifications in PRs, and (4) the additional value of frontal radiographs (FRs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (n = 100) with carotid stenosis ≥50% were examined with PRs and FRs before CEA. Extirpated carotid plaques were radiographically examined (n = 101).
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that 100 of 101 (99%) extirpated plaques were calcified, of which 75 of 100 (75%) were detected in PRs; 84 of 100 (84%) patients presented carotid calcifications in the PRs, in 9.5% contralateral to the stenosis ≥50%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Carotid calcifications are seen in PRs in 84% of patients with carotid stenosis ≥50%, independent of gender. FRs do not contribute significantly to this identification.
authors: Department of Odontology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. Electronic address: maria.garoff@odont.umu.se.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Garoff
authors: Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors: Elias
authors: E
authors: Johansson
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Odontology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Ahlqvist
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Odontology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors: Eva Levring
authors: EL
authors: Jäghagen
authors: Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors: Conny
authors: C
authors: Arnerlöv
authors: Professor, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
authors: Per
authors: P
authors: Wester
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography; D061205:Vascular Calcification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*