Dental x-rays identify carotid artery atherosclerosis in women. (Healthbeat).

Women at high risk of stroke can be identified by the presence of calcified carotid artery atheromas on panoramic radiographs, investigators at the University of California, Los Angeles report. Dr. Arthur H. Friedlander, of the School of Dentistry and Dr. Lisa Altman of the School of Medicine assessed radiographs of 52 post menopausal women who were neurologically symptomatic. Calcified carotid artery disease identified in 16 women was confirmed in all cases by anteroposterior cervical spine radiographs. The authors note in the Journal of the American Dental Association that calcified carotid artery atheroma on a panoramic radiograph is of major clinical significance. While other studies have shown this manifestation in men at high risk of stroke, this is the first to determine the prevalence of atheromas in a post menopausal female population.