Neha Khambete1, Rahul Kumar2, Mukund Risbud3, Anil Joshi4. 1. Department of Oral Medicine, Diagnosis and Radiology, CSMSS Dental College & Hospital, Aurangabad, India. 2. Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, MGM Dental College & Hospital, Navi Mumbai, India. 3. Department of Oral Medicine, Diagnosis and Radiology, Vasantdada Patil Dental College & Hospital, Sangli, India. 4. Department of Radiology, Al-Ameen Medical College, Bijapur, India.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to determine whether digital panoramic radiography is a reliable method to detect calcified carotid artery atheromatous plaques (CCAAP) as compared to ultrasonography. STUDY DESIGN: Digital panoramic radiographs were obtained from 50 patients who also underwent carotid ultrasound examination. The images were interpreted by trained maxillofacial radiologist for the presence or absence of calcified atheromatous plaques. The extent of carotid calcification on carotid ultrasonography was determined by a trained sonologist which was considered as gold standard assessment. RESULTS: Digital panoramic radiographs had sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 98.66% in determining calcified carotid artery atheromatous plaques. There was a high level of agreement between diagnoses, with a kappa value of 0.8. CONCLUSION: To conclude, digital panoramic radiographs had good sensitivity and high specificity in detecting calcified carotid artery atheromatous plaques. If properly trained, dentists can detect such plaques and can refer patients to physician for timely medical treatment.
OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to determine whether digital panoramic radiography is a reliable method to detect calcified carotid artery atheromatous plaques (CCAAP) as compared to ultrasonography. STUDY DESIGN: Digital panoramic radiographs were obtained from 50 patients who also underwent carotid ultrasound examination. The images were interpreted by trained maxillofacial radiologist for the presence or absence of calcified atheromatous plaques. The extent of carotid calcification on carotid ultrasonography was determined by a trained sonologist which was considered as gold standard assessment. RESULTS: Digital panoramic radiographs had sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 98.66% in determining calcified carotid artery atheromatous plaques. There was a high level of agreement between diagnoses, with a kappa value of 0.8. CONCLUSION: To conclude, digital panoramic radiographs had good sensitivity and high specificity in detecting calcified carotid artery atheromatous plaques. If properly trained, dentists can detect such plaques and can refer patients to physician for timely medical treatment.
Entities:
Keywords:
Calcified carotid artery atheromas; Digital imaging; Panoramic radiography; Ultrasonography
Authors: Richard P Madden; James S Hodges; Charles W Salmen; D Brad Rindal; Javed Tunio; Bryan S Michalowicz; Mansur Ahmad Journal: Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod Date: 2006-09-01