Diagnostic reporting of calcified carotid atheroma in digital panoramic radiograph – A retrospective study

Abstract

Context: Cerebrovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death in many countries. Aim: To evaluate the presence of calcified carotid atheroma in digital panoramic radiographs, thereby referring the patients to cardiology for early management and prevention of stroke. Settings and Design: Hospital- based, cross- sectional retrospective study. Materials and Methods: The study design included 1000 digital panoramic radiographs taken for the needful patients in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology for a period of one year from November 2018 to October 2019. Two examiners (experienced maxillofacial radiologists) evaluated the presence of calcified carotid atheroma in panoramic radiographs. Results: Out of 1000 digital panoramic radiographs, 39 panoramic radiographs were found to have the presence of calcified carotid atheroma, of which 9 were male and 30 were female panoramic radiographs. The prevalence was found to be higher in the age group between 45 to 54 years. Conclusion: Panoramic radiographs help to assess the presence of calcified carotid atheromas. Careful evaluation of panoramic radiographs by maxillofacial radiologists for carotid atheromas could be life-saving in the prevention of stroke.

Keywords

• cardiology
• carotid atheroma
• panoramic radiographs
• radiology
• stroke