More frequent detection of calcified carotid atherosclerotic plaques and mineralized laryngeal cartilages on digital than on film-based panoramic radiographs

Purpose To determine whether calcified carotid atherosclerotic plaques (CCAPs) and mineralized laryngeal cartilages (MLCs) were more frequently detected on digital or film-based panoramic radiographs. The clinical relevance of this question is that some radiopacities seen on digital radiographs may correspond to medium-density tissues that are not necessarily mineralized. Materials and Methods Data were collected from panoramic radiographs and the respective reports issued by 2 private oral radiology centers. A total of 388 radiographs and reports were divided into film-based (group A) and digital (group D) radiographs. The frequencies of CCAPs and MLCs were analyzed using the Fisher exact test, and odds ratios were also calculated (α=1%). Results The mean age of patients whose reports and radiographs showed CCAPs and/or MLCs ranged from 50.1 to 54.1 years. There was a predominance of females. A higher frequency of CCAPs and MLCs was observed in group D than in group A at both centers (P