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Aim: To compare the prevalence and pattern of calcification of the stylohyoid complex in Hong Kong Chinese with that in London., Methods: The panoramic radiographs of two consecutive series of patients attending the primary dental care departments were reviewed, 862 patients in Hong Kong and 800 in London. The morphology of the stylohyoid complex was allocated to one of 12 patterns., Results: A normal styloid process is significantly more prevalent in Hong Kong (P<0.01). A calcified stylohyoid ligament is significantly more common in London (15.8%) than Hong Kong (3.9%, P<0.01), whereas there is no difference in the prevalence of an elongated styloid process (7.8% in London and 8.6% in Hong Kong). Segmentation was significantly more prevalent in London (P<0.01), whereas symmetry predominated in Hong Kong (P<0.01). Although the mean age of the Hong Kong patients was significantly older than those in London (P<0.001), those with a calcified stylohyoid ligament tended only to be older (0.025>P>0.01). There was no significant difference in age for an elongated styloid process., Conclusion: There are significant differences in the morphology of the stylohyoid complex between London and Hong Kong. A calcified stylohyoid ligament is more prevalent in Londoners.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of carotid artery calcification on panoramic radiographs in the Black population., Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 700 adult male and female Black dental outpatients from the Medical Center of Louisiana Charity Hospital were examined for any unusual radiopacity adjacent to or just below the intervertebral space between C3 and C4., Results: Three (0.43%) of the 700 patients, with ages ranging from 46 - 77-years-old, had one or more unusual radiopacities in the region of interest. All three were female., Conclusion: It is uncommon to find radiopacities adjacent to or just below the intervertebral space between C3 and C4 in the general Black population.