A Ribeiro1, R Keat2, S Khalid3, S Ariyaratnam4, M Makwana3, M do Pranto1, R Albuquerque3, L Monteiro1. 1. Medicine and Oral Surgery Department and Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies (IINFACTS), University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS-N), CESPU, 4585-116 Paredes, Portugal. 2. Oral medicine department, Birmingham Dental Hospital & School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Mill Pool Way B5 7EG, United Kingdom. Electronic address: rosskeat@gmail.com. 3. Oral medicine department, Birmingham Dental Hospital & School of Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Mill Pool Way B5 7EG, United Kingdom. 4. Unit of Oral Medicine, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Manchester M15 6FH, United Kingdom.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency and spectrum of soft tissues calcifications identified on Dental Pantomograms (DPT) at a University Dental Clinic in the northern region of Portugal and to compare the data obtained with those published in the literature. METHODS: We conducted a 3-year descriptive analysis (2012-2014) of DPT calcifications within soft tissues at the University Clinic (CESPU), in Oporto, Portugal. Information on gender, age, location of the lesions and the radiographic diagnosis were analysed. DPTs were interpreted by two examiners (Kappa test 0.8). Data were entered into a database and analysed with Chi-square and Fisher exact tests. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk test. RESULTS: 2375 DPTs were analysed, with 468 calcifications observed in the radiographs of 420 individuals. Calcifications of the stylohyoid and stylomandibular ligament were most common, with atheroma, sialoliths, tonsilloliths rhinoliths and antroliths also identified. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the presence of calcifications of the stylohyoid and stylomandibular ligaments, atheromatous calcifications in the carotid artery and tonsilloliths in individuals older than 40. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest sample analysis ever done in Portugal, providing useful information about the incidence and distribution of soft tissue calcifications identifiable on DPTs, allowing valuable comparison with other countries. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Despite mostly being incidental findings, panoramic radiography can be the first relevant test that aids dental practitioners in the process of requesting other imaging techniques or forwarding to the correct specialty.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency and spectrum of soft tissues calcifications identified on Dental Pantomograms (DPT) at a University Dental Clinic in the northern region of Portugal and to compare the data obtained with those published in the literature. METHODS: We conducted a 3-year descriptive analysis (2012-2014) of DPT calcifications within soft tissues at the University Clinic (CESPU), in Oporto, Portugal. Information on gender, age, location of the lesions and the radiographic diagnosis were analysed. DPTs were interpreted by two examiners (Kappa test 0.8). Data were entered into a database and analysed with Chi-square and Fisher exact tests. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk test. RESULTS: 2375 DPTs were analysed, with 468 calcifications observed in the radiographs of 420 individuals. Calcifications of the stylohyoid and stylomandibular ligament were most common, with atheroma, sialoliths, tonsilloliths rhinoliths and antroliths also identified. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the presence of calcifications of the stylohyoid and stylomandibular ligaments, atheromatous calcifications in the carotid artery and tonsilloliths in individuals older than 40. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest sample analysis ever done in Portugal, providing useful information about the incidence and distribution of soft tissue calcifications identifiable on DPTs, allowing valuable comparison with other countries. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Despite mostly being incidental findings, panoramic radiography can be the first relevant test that aids dental practitioners in the process of requesting other imaging techniques or forwarding to the correct specialty.
Authors: Daniela Klenke; Petra Santander; Charlotte Vehring; Anja Quast; Jan Sommerlath Sohns; Sebastian Krohn; Philipp Meyer-Marcotty Journal: J Orofac Orthop Date: 2022-05-18 Impact factor: 1.938