PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Alzoman, Hamad A.
AU  - Al-Sadhan, Ra'ed I.
AU  - Al-Lahem, Ziyad H.
AU  - Al-Sakaker, Abdullah N.
AU  - Al-Fawaz, Yasser F.
TI  - Prevalence of carotid calcification detected on panoramic radiographs in a Saudi population from a training institute in Central Saudi Arabia.
DP  - 2012 Feb 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 177--181
VI  - 33
IP  - 2
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/33/2/177.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/33/2/177.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2012 Feb 01; 33
AB  - OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of carotid artery calcification as detected on panoramic radiographs in a Saudi population.METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia between March 2008 and January 2009. Five hundred and fifty-five panoramic radiographs of Saudi patients aged 30 years and above was collected from the patient charts. The panoramic radiographs were examined by 3 trained and calibrated examiners to detect any carotid artery calcification.RESULTS: Carotid artery calcification was noted in 28 (5%) of the 555 radiographs. Among these, 21 images were obtained from men (3.75%) and 7 from women (1.25%).CONCLUSIONS: Dentists should be aware of the techniques to detect carotid artery calcification on the widely used panoramic radiographs. Consequently, information on a life-threatening condition could be provided to the patient, and a precautionary treatment could be suggested.