Prevalence of Soft Tissue Calcification in Orthopantamograph
Published: 2021-02-15
Page: 20-28
Issue: 2021 - Volume 4 [Issue 1]
M. Rajkumar *
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Best Dental Science College, Madurai-625104, India.
B. Siva
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Best Dental Science College, Madurai-625104, India.
R. Sudharshan
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Best Dental Science College, Madurai-625104, India.
H. Srinivas
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Best Dental Science College, Madurai-625104, India.
A. Vishalini
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Best Dental Science College, Madurai-625104, India.
P. Sivakami
Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Best Dental Science College, Madurai-625104, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: Soft tissue calcifications are categorized into dystrophic, metastatic and idiopathic calcifications. The current aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of soft tissue calcifications in head and neck region using digital dental panoramic radiography.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study with digital panoramic radiographs of 500 dental patients who visited the Oral Radiology department from November 2018 to January 2019 were analyzed for soft tissue calcifications.
Results: The most common soft tissue calcification identified were submandibular sialolith 37.5%, followed by 25% of calcified stylohyoid ligament, 12.5% of phlebolith and 12.5% of tonsillolith 12.5% Carotid artery Calc ification
Conclusion: The prevalence of soft tissue calcifications was low which increases with age. Soft tissue calcification occurs more common in male than in female. Once a soft tissue calcification is diagnosed incidentally in a routine dental radiograph it can aid in prevention of the disease.
Keywords: Soft tissue calcifications, sialolith, phlebolith, tonsillolith, atherosclerotic plaque, panoramic radiography.