Detection of Carotid Artery Calcification with Panoramic Radiography and CT

Objectives: Neck carotid stenosis caused by arteriosclerosis of the carotid artery is regarded as often leading to brain infarction, a theory that has gained recognition in recent years. However, subjective symptoms are difficult to observe, and these lesions are thus difficult to find. Depending on the case, abnormalities may be indicated from panoramic radiography. This study evaluated calcification of the carotid artery using panoramic radiography and neck computed tomography (CT).
Methods: Subjects comprised 105 patients consulting the Oral Surgery Department of our hospital from April 2011 to March 2013 who were diagnosed with primary oral cancer and who underwent panoramic radiography and neck CT (46 men, 59 women; age range, 20–91 years). The presence of calcification inside the plaque of the carotid artery was confirmed on CT, and the presence of calcification findings was confirmed on panoramic radiography.
Results: Calcification of the carotid artery was observed in 17.1% of panoramic radiographs. Calcification of the carotid artery was observed in 58.1% on CT. In the cases detected in CT, calcification of the carotid artery was observed in 29.5% on panoramic radiography. No cases in which calcification was not confirmed on CT showed calcification on panoramic radiography.
Conclusions: With panoramic radiography, radiographic image interpretation must be performed by taking into consideration the possible observance of sclerotic changes in the carotid artery without subjective symptoms.