Prevalence of calcification of the head and neck soft tissue diagnosed with digital panoramic radiography in Northeast Brazilian population

BACKGROUND: The orthopantomography is a diagnostic tool with a relevant role in the precocious detection of pathologies and anomalies of the head and neck, such as calcifications of the soft tissues. The digital orthopantomography is the most used image diagnostic tool in dentistry. It is a low cost easily taken radiography that allows the visualization of the mandible, maxillae, and other craniofacial structures without exposing the patient to high doses of radiation. Given the exposed, the aim of this study has a great relevance since it aims to evaluate the prevalence of atheroma plaques and tonsilloliths with digital panoramic radiography in Northeast Brazilian population. METHODS: A total of 500 digital orthopantomography were evaluated, but only 365 were eligible to be included in this study. The soft tissue calcification was classified in tonsilolith and atherosclerosis. Sex and age were correlated with calcification using Fisher's test. Following an interexaminer analysis was perfomed using the kappa test. RESULTS: Calcifications were diagnosed in 6 radiographics, being 3 tonsiloliths and 3 Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis was found only in patients over 40 years old. This finding was statistically significant P <= 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Although, the prevalence of calcifications in soft tissues is low, the detection of these pathologies through the digital panoramic radiography becomes relevant once vascular diseases could be diagnosed at early stages, enabling thus an adequate management of the underlying clinical condition.