title: Orthopantomography contribution to prevent isquemic stroke.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The ortopantomography (OPG) can be a valuable way for an early detection of calcified atheroma plaques, thus contributing for a preliminary stroke risk evaluation. The study looks for the existence of calcified atheroma plates through the use of OPG, comparing the results with the stenosis percentage found through eco-doppler. It has been analyzed the correlation of the number of years as a smoker, arterial hypertension and body mass index, against the risk of having calcified atheroma plaques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational, transversal and prospective study with 84 patients from the Dental Center of Hospital Particular de Lisboa. First the patients answered to an inquiry and them they were submitted to an OPG and an eco-doppler.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is possible to detect calcified atheroma plaques in the carotid artery through an OPG and patients who have them have got a fifteen fold greater risk of suffering from carotid stenosis. In this study, it has been confirmed the increase in carotid stenosis for long term smokers (OR = 1,033, n=18, 42,9%). The study results show that hypertension patients have a probability 5,426 greater than normal of developing atheroma plaques (with sig=0,049). Amid analyzed patients, the correlation between obesity and the existence of carotid atheroma plaques was significant, although negative (sig=0,047). OPG can help find patients with higher risk of isquemic stroke. Key words:Orthopantomography, Stroke, Carotid disease, Calcified atheroma.
authors.affiliation: Phd in Odontology. Profesor of Oral radiology in ISC-Egas Moniz. University of Odontology, Portugal.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Abecasis
authors.affiliation: Phd in Medicine and Surgery. Profesor Oral Medicine, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Barcelona.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chimenos-Küstner
authors.affiliation: Phd in Medicine and Surgery. Profesor Oral Medicine, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Barcelona.
authors.forename: Osé
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: López-López