Panoramic radiography: the differential diagnosis of carotid artery atheromas.

Cervical carotid artery atherosclerosis, a major cause of stroke (cerebrovascular accident, CVA), commonly occurs in older individuals with a history of hypertension and smoking. These atheromatous plaques, when calcified, may be imaged on conventional panoramic dental radiographs. Dentists caring for "at-risk patients" must be able to identify these lesions and to differentiate them from anatomical and other pathological radiopacities frequently observed in the carotid artery territory. Prompt referral of these individuals to a physician may preclude a stroke.