The recognition of carotid calcifications and the link with cardiovascular disease has been well established in the dental literature; however the description of Thyroid changes in panoramic images is very limited and has not been previously reported as an indicator of Thyroid disease or malignancy in symptomatic patients. Patients with undiagnosed Thyroid disease pose a potential threat of adverse outcomes following dental treatment, particularly when undergoing surgical procedures. Thyroid disorders are predominantly female conditions, especially in patients over 50 years. The prevalence rate of diagnosed Thyroid disease in Australia is estimated to be 7.5% of women and 1.5% of men. A prevalence study in Colorado reported average prevalence of 9.5% Hypothyroid and 2.2% Hyperthyroid; these studies excluded Thyroid cancer and Goitre. Dentists have been encouraged to detect early signs and symptoms of systemic disease and refer the patient for treatment based on history, clinical and radiographic examinations. Bilateral neck calcifications on panoramic images often give false positive results for carotid calcification, even though calcification or ossification of the thyroid cartilage has been recognised as a possible misdiagnosis of carotid calcification
Method:
This study presents patient case reports and panoramic images of bilateral calcifications at C4 level observed on patient images taken in student Radiology clinics.
Result:
Images and medical reports illustrating subsequent medical diagnosis of patient cases of Carotid calcification associated with significant cardiac atherosclerotic disease; Hypothyroidism; Hashimoto’s thyroiditis; Thyroid nodules and malignant thyroid nodule calcification associated with subsequent detection of breast cancer. Four of those patients had a co-existing autoimmune disease.
Conclusion:
The recognition of bilateral neck calcifications as pathological Thyroid gland change when detected on panoramic radiographs, followed by referral for medical treatment, can assist the patient to obtain an earlier correct medical diagnosis, an improved quality of life and possibly the saving of a life