Diagnosis of Calcified Atheroma Plaque on Panoramic Radiography with Subsequent Confirmation by Doppler Ultrasound: Case Report
Irineu Gregnanin Pedron1*, Mauricio Teixeira Duarte2, Marcelo do Lago Pimentel Maia3, Marcelo Yoshimoto4, Leopoldo Penteado Nucci da Silva5, Élio Hitoshi Shinohara6
1DDS, MDS. Professor, Department of Periodontics and Integrated Clinic, School of Dentistry, Centro Universitário Braz Cubas, Mogi das Cruzes, and Independent Researcher, ISO Radiologia Odontológica (Itaquera), São Paulo, Brazil.
2DDS, MDS, PhD. Head and Professor, School of Dentistry, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
3DDS, MSc. Independent Researcher, ISO Radiologia Odontológica (Itaquera e Osasco), São Paulo, Brazil.
4DDS, MDS, PhD. Independent Researcher, MY Institute, São Paulo, Brazil.
5DDS, MDS, PhD. Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil; Hospital Universita rio Prof. Alberto Antunes, Alagoas, Brazil; Centro Universitário Afya Maceio, Brazil.
6DDS, PhD. Assistant Surgeon, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital Regional de Osasco (SUS/SP). OMF Residency Program and ColosSUS Bucal, Osasco, Brazil.
*Corresponding Author: Irineu Gregnanin Pedron, DDS, MDS. Professor, Department of Periodontics and Integrated Clinic, School of Dentistry, Centro Universitário Braz Cubas, Mogi das Cruzes, and Independent Researcher, ISO Radiologia Odontológica (Itaquera), São Paulo, Brazil.
https://doi.org/10.58624/SVOADE.2026.07.010
Received: February 21, 2026
Published: March 06, 2026
Citation: Pedron IG, Duarte MT, Maia MLP, Yoshimoto M, da Silva LPN, Shinohara EH. Diagnosis of Calcified Atheroma Plaque on Panoramic Radiography with Subsequent Confirmation by Doppler Ultrasound: Case Report. SVOA Dentistry 2026, 7:2, 68-72. doi: 10.58624/SVOADE.2026.07.010
Abstract
Atherosclerosis represents a serious global public health problem. Early identification of calcified atheromatous plaques in the carotid artery is essential for the prevention of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events. Panoramic radiography, a routine examination in Dentistry, allows incidental detection of these calcifications in the soft tissues of the neck, at the level of the C3 and C4 vertebrae. The purpose of this article is to present a case of initial detection of calcified atheroma plaque, first observed on panoramic radiography and later confirmed by ultrasound examination. The diagnostic accuracy of panoramic radiography in detecting atheromas, the importance of differential diagnosis, and the imperative need for confirmation by Doppler ultrasound were discussed. Panoramic radiography, an effective dental screening tool, can assist the dental surgeon in initial detection, even if incidental, giving them an important role in public, systemic, and oral health. Upon identifying such calcifications, the dental surgeon should refer the patient for specialised medical evaluation and confirmatory tests.
Keywords: Dentistry; Atherosclerosis; Panoramic Radiography; Carotid Artery Diseases; Ultrasonography; Early Diagnosis.
