Prevalence of calcified carotid artery on panoramic radiographs in postmenopausal women

Does low bone mineral density have an association with head and neck soft tissue calcifications?

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether low bone mineral density (BMD) has an association with the presence of head and neck soft tissue calcifications (STC), aging, and impaired mandibular canal cortices visibility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Panoramic radiographs of 1000 women aged between 50 and 75 years old were evaluated by two examiners to classify BMD using mandibular cortical index (C1- normal, C2-moderately eroded and C3-severely eroded), the presence of STC, and also the mandibular canal cortices visibility at the ramus region. Chi-square test evaluated the association between the variables (α = 5%).

RESULTS

There was no association between bone loss and the presence of head and neck soft tissue calcifications, except for calcified thyroid cartilage, which was less visualized at C3 group than others (p < 0.05). Women aged 61 to 70 years old presented higher bone loss than those between 50 and 60 (p < 0.05). The mandibular canal was more poorly visualized at C3 group than C1 and C2 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In general, no association between BMD and the presence of STC was found. However, greater bone loss had a positive correlation with aging and impaired mandibular canal cortices visibility.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

No relationship between bone mineral density and the existence of soft tissue calcifications was found. Nevertheless, increased bone loss was positively associated with aging and a reduced mandibular canal cortices visibility. This finding highlights the clinical importance of considering bone density factors when planning treatment strategies for patients with related disorders.

Prevalence of carotid artery calcification in postmenopausal women and its correlation with atherogenic risk factors

Aim:

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of carotid artery calcification (CAC) in postmenopausal females on panoramic radiographs and to study the correlation of CAC with possible risk factors such as hypertension, osteoporosis, and hypercholesterolemia, among others.

Materials and Methods:

Totally, 1214 panoramic radiographs of postmenopausal females attending the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology were examined for the presence of CAC. The subjects were also assessed for the presence of various risk factors and the possible correlation to CAC. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test, and P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results:

Two hundred and seventy-eight postmenopausal females presented with CAC and a prevalence of 22.9%. These patients presented with a medical history that was laden with risk factors, of which hypertension (71.2%) was the most common risk factor. Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, and obesity were significantly (P < 0.05) related to the presence of CAC while age, diabetes, and smoking were not significantly (P > 0.05) related to CAC.

Conclusion:

The incidental finding of CAC on panoramic radiographs during the routine dental examination can provide life-saving information for the identification of postmenopausal females who are at a higher risk for stroke. Oral clinicians should, therefore, record a proper medical history of such patients to identify the atherogenic risk factors and refer such patients to the physician for careful evaluation and conformation of the disease.