Panoramik radyografilerde karotid arter kalsifikasyonunun değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, panoramik radyografilerde karotis arter kalsifikasyonunun (KAK) prevalansını değerlendirmek ve yaş, cinsiyet ve sistemik hastalıklarla ilişkisini araştırmak amaçlanmaktadır. Yöntemler: Kliniğimize başvuran 599 hastadan alınan panoramik radyografiler retrospektif olarak incelendi. C3-C4 servikal vertebra seviyesinde yer alan düzensiz, heterojen radyoopak kitleler KAK'yi düşündürecek şekilde değerlendirildi ve ayırıcı tanı diğer kalsifiye anatomik veya patolojik yapılarla yapıldı. Hastaların yaşı, cinsiyeti ve sistemik durumları (kardiyovasküler hastalık, diyabet) kaydedildi. KAK ile klinik değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiyi değerlendirmek için ki-kare testleri ve lojistik regresyon analizleri kullanıldı. Bulgular: KAK 19 hastada tespit edildi ve %3,2'lik bir prevalansa karşılık geldi. Prevalans yaşla birlikte artmıştır: 18-35 yaş grubunda %0,9, 36-60 yaş grubunda %6,3 ve ≥61 yaşındaki hastalarda %4,9. Lojistik regresyon analizi, yaşın KAK için bağımsız bir risk faktörü olduğunu belirlemiştir (p < 0,05). Cinsiyet veya sistemik hastalıklar açısından anlamlı bir fark gözlenmemiştir; ancak KAK prevalansı kardiyovasküler hastalığı olan hastalarda nispeten daha yüksekti (%7,7), diyabetik hastalarda ise hiçbir vaka gözlenmemiştir. Sonuçlar: Panoramik radyografilerde tesadüfen tespit edilen KAK prevalansı, önceki çalışmalarda bildirilen aralıktadır. Yaşın bağımsız bir risk faktörü olduğu doğrulanırken, cinsiyet ve sistemik komorbiditeler arasında anlamlı bir ilişki görülmemiştir. Panoramik radyografiler, rutin diş hekimliği pratiğinde KAK'nin tesadüfen tespit edilmesi için yararlı bir araç olabilir.

Keywords

• ateroskleroz
• karotid
• tanısal görüntüleme
• panoramik radyografi

Evaluation of carotid artery calcification on panoramic radiographies

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of carotid artery calcification (CAC) on panoramic radiographs and to investigate its relationship with age, sex, and systemic diseases. Methods: Panoramic radiographs obtained from 599 patients who referred to our clinic were retrospectively analyzed. Irregular, heterogeneous radiopaque masses located at the C3-C4 cervical vertebral level were considered indicative of CAC, with differential diagnosis performed against other calcified anatomical or pathological structures. Data on patient age, sex, and systemic conditions (cardiovascular disease, diabetes) were recorded. Information on smoking status, lipid profiles, medication use, and history of cardiovascular surgery was not recorded. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between CAC and clinical variables. Results: CAC was detected in 19 patients, corresponding to a prevalence of 3.2%. The prevalence increased with age: 0.9% in the 18-35 age group, 6.3% in the 36-60 age group, and 4.9% in patients aged ≥61 years. Logistic regression analysis identified age as an independent risk factor for CAC (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed with respect to sex or systemic diseases; however, the prevalence of CAC was relatively higher in patients with cardiovascular disease (7.7%), whereas no cases were observed among diabetics. Conclusion: The prevalence of CAC detected incidentally on panoramic radiographs was within the range reported in previous studies. Age was confirmed as an independent risk factor, while sex and systemic comorbidities showed no significant associations. Panoramic radiographs may serve as a useful tool for the incidental detection of CAC in routine dental practice

Keywords

• Atherosclerosis
• carotid arteries
• diagnostic imaging
• panoramic radiography

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