Carotid artery calcification detected on panoramic radiographs in a group of Thai population

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of carotid artery calcification (CAC) detected on panoramic radiographs in a Thai population. The panoramic radiographs of the patients 50 and older (N = 1,370) visiting Mahidol University from January 1998 through September 2004 were retrospectively reviewed for CAC. The medical records of the positive subjects were then reviewed. Thirty-four (2.5%) of the 1,370 patients, 16 men and 18 women, with a mean age of 69 and a range of 50 to 87 years, had 1 or more CACs. These calcifications were unilateral in 25 (73.5%) and bilateral in 9 (26.5%) subjects. Of those positive subjects, 18 reported hypertension, 10 reported diabetes mellitus, and 5 reported hyperlipidemia. Although it is uncommon to find CAC in the Thai population, dentists should be aware of this calcification on the routine panoramic radiographs and promptly refer for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular evaluation.