Carotid artery calcification seen on panoramic dental radiographs in the Asian population in Japan

To determine the frequency of carotid artery calcification (CAC) seen on panoramic dental radiographs, the relationship between the condition and a history of cerebral infarction (CI), and the history of the risk factors of CI in patients in Japan.

A total of 2374 individuals whose panoramic radiographs were obtained at their first consultation were reviewed.

CAC was found in 95 subjects (4.0%) and was found at a higher frequency in patients with a history of CI than in those without a history of CI. The modifiable risk factors (a history of hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolaemia) and CAC showed significant relationship in the chi(2) test for pairwise comparison. When age and gender were added and all of these risk factors were considered simultaneously in the multiple logistic regression analysis, age and history of hypercholesterolaemia remained statistically significant.

CAC may be seen on panoramic dental radiographs and is related to the patients' general history of CI, and the risk factors of CI in the Asian population in Japan.