Prevalence of Pathologic Findings in Panoramic Radiographs: Calcified Carotid Artery Atheroma.

OBJECTIVES To assess the prevalence of images suggestive of calcified carotid artery atheromas (ISCCAA) in panoramic radiographs of patients under dental treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sample consisted of 8.338 panoramic radiographs from female (n=5.049) and male (n=3.289) patients under dental treatment between 4 and 94 years of age. The panoramic radiographs were evaluated searching for ISCCAA. The obtained findings were statistically associated with sex and age. RESULTS ISCCAA were found in 579 radiographs (6.9%). No statistically significant differences were observed between females and males (p>0.05). ISCCAA were more prevalent in patients having a mean age of 50 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The potential cases of ISCCAA that were assessed on panoramic radiographs are of utmost clinical significance because they can ensure early and correct diagnosis.