Detection of calcified atheromas on panoramic radiographs of cirrhotic patients

Abstract

Background The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of calcified atheromas in carotid arteries (CACA) on panoramic radiographs of patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). Methods and results A case‐control study of 67 individuals with LC (case group) and 67 healthy individuals (control group), matched by gender and age, was performed. In addition to demographic information, data on LC were also collected for the case group. Panoramic radiographs were evaluated by two previously calibrated examiners. The sample consisted predominantly of male individuals (n = 50; 74.62%), with mean age of 55 years old. In the case group, the mean value for the model of end‐stage liver disease was 16, and the major aetiology of LC was alcoholism (n = 26; 38.8%). Thirteen (19.4%) LC patients had CACA, whereas only four (5.9%) healthy patients had this condition. LC patients are 3.72 times more likely to have CACA compared to healthy individuals (P = .02). The presence of nephropathies increases the risk of development of atheromas by 18.58 times in cirrhotic individuals (P = .04). Conclusions Cirrhotic patients are more likely to have CACA compared to healthy patients, and this risk increases significantly when kidney disease is involved.

Are Panoramic Images a Good Tool to Detect Calcified Carotid Atheroma? A Systematic Review

“…Five studies analyzed smoking as a factor of CCA [ 13 , 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Two studies included dental diseases [ 16 , 20 ].…”

“…Only one study evaluated cerebral stroke/cerebrovascular accidents as an endpoint [ 8 ] and the conclusion achieved was that CCAAs often herald an ischaemic stroke. Four studies evaluated the influence of cardiovascular diseases in CCA [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 20 ].…”

“…Bueno Marinho et al [ 20 ] investigate the prevalence of CCA on panoramic radiographs of 67 patients with liver cirrhosis and a mean age of 55 years. Authors concluded that cirrhotic patients are more likely to have CCA compared to healthy patients, and this risk increases significantly when kidney disease is involved.…”

Assessment of mandibular cortical index in patients with hepatic cirrhosis: A case‐control study

“…However, these recent drugs have side effects in which gastric ulcer is one of them, being potentially harmful to cirrhotic patients with portosystemic collaterals because of the high risk of gastric bleeding 23 . In this context, we emphasize that panoramic radiography gains importance as a tool for screening osteoporosis because this imaging examination is low cost, simple, and non‐invasive, in addition to using low radiation dose and being routinely ordered by dental professionals, including pre‐transplant preparation of cirrhotic patients 13,24 . Nevertheless, if decreased mandibular BMD is detected, patient should be referred to medical proper medical care, including the use of specific tests for the diagnosis of osteopenia/osteoporosis, such as bone densitometry.…”

A importância do cirurgião-dentista na detecção do ateroma e prevenção do acidente vascular cerebral: revisão de literatura

“…A literatura tem demonstrado forte associação entre doenças sistêmicas, incluindo diabetes, e maior risco para desenvolver aterosclerose, placa de ateroma e AVC isquêmico 2,6,12,14,[16][17][18]38 . Contudo, no estudo de Gustafsson et al (2022) 1,3,6,15,18,21,24,25,29,32,39 . Porém, para Constantine et al (2018) a presença de CAC em radiografia panorâmica só poderá ser considerado fator de risco para o AVC, caso a ultrassonografia demonstre haver estenose, diminuição da luz vascular ≥ 50 7 .…”