Evaluation of Positive Predictive Value for Digital Panoramic Radiographyin Comparison to Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Calcified Carotid Atheroma

摘要

Aim: Detection of calcified carotid atheroma (CCA) has an important role in reducing the incidence of Cerebro Vascular Accident (CVA). The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of panoramic digital radiography in detecting atherosclerosis. Methods: It is descriptive-analytical diagnostic study. The people (22 to 62 years old) were referred to a radiology clinic to perform panoramic radiography for diagnosis of CCA. Individuals who were suspected were introduced to the radiology department of dental school to undergo ultrasound evaluation to CCA. For the 41 patients (55 sides), ultrasound was performed. For data analysis, the Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used. Results: The prevalence of CCA was 2.43%. The PPV of digital panoramic was 45.5%. There was no significant relationship between age (P = 0.14) and sex (P = 0.539) and PPV of digital panoramic. The PPV of digital panoramic was significantly associated with hypertension (P = 0.032). Conclusion: It seems that panoramic can be used to screen patients with a history of hypertension for atherosclerosis.