Incidental findings of carotid artery stenosis detected by calcifications on panoramic radiographs: report of three cases

Atherosclerosis, a progressive inflammatory disorder, may lead to coronary artery disease or stroke. The prevalence of atherosclerosis associated with mortality and morbidity is very high in developed countries, and is the underlying cause of approximately 50% of all deaths in Western societies. Panoramic radiographs (PRs) are an indispensable diagnostic tool used by dental practitioners. In the general dental population, the prevalence of positive incidental carotid artery calcifications (CACs) is reported to range from 2 to 5%. Therefore, incidental findings of CAC on PRs taken during routine dental evaluation may be useful for detecting asymptomatic patients at risk of stroke and could provide life-saving information. In this case report, we present radiological findings and follow-up of three patients with severe atherosclerosis that was incidentally detected on PRs, and discuss the role and importance of PRs in the detection of CACs.