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Panoramic radiography: The differential diagnosis of carotid artery atheromas
Author(s) -
Friedlander Arthur H.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
special care in dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.328
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1754-4505
pISSN - 0275-1879
DOI - 10.1111/j.1754-4505.1995.tb00522.x
Subject(s) - medicine , stroke (engine) , carotid arteries , radiography , pathological , differential diagnosis , radiology , referral , cardiology , pathology , mechanical engineering , engineering , family medicine
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.