RESUMEN
Objectives: The study aimed to determine the relationship between the mandibular asymmetry index according to Kjellberg between patients with painful unilateral anterior disc displacement (DD) and asymptomatic volunteers without disc displacement. Vertical measurements were performed on a panoramic single-image radiograph, and the disc status was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Material and methods: Two groups of subjects were retrospectively selected, 40 patients (the overall mean age was 35.5 years; 75% female) with temporomandibular disorder symptoms confirmed by RDC/TMD axis I and manual functional analysis. Unilateral DD was determined by MRI. A comparative group of asymptomatic volunteers (20 dental students with a mean age of 23.4 years; 72% female) had the physiological position of the disc determined by MRI. The vertical asymmetry of the condyle was determined by the method of Kjellberg et al. The symmetry of the gonial angle of the mandible was also measured. Results: A comparison of the mean of the asymmetry index between patients (average 90.89±7.08%) and asymptomatic volunteers (mean 95.86±4.44%) showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.0029). There was no difference (p=0.088) in gonial angle symmetry between the patients (mean 96.48±2.96°) and the asymptomatic volunteers (mean 97.52±2.31°). The distribution of the presence of individual DD diagnoses (partial and total displacement with reduction, displacement without reduction) in patients diagnosed with asymmetry of the mandible was without statistical significance (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study actually points to the asymmetry of the mandible as a potential morphological risk of anterior DD.
RESUMEN
Introduction: Orthopantomography is amongst the most commonly used dental imaging modalities. Calcifications in the projection of carotids on orthopantomographs are found in 3-15% of general population and commonly represent calcified atherosclerotic plaques. Carotid atherosclerotic changes are one of the most frequent causes of stroke, which is the second most common cause of death and the leading cause of disability globally. Our aim was to determine the relationship between calcifications in the projection of carotids on orthopantomographs, carotid stenosis and stroke, and the correlation between stroke risk factors, calcifications on orthopantomographs and the degree of carotid stenosis. Materials and methods: Doppler ultrasound and brain MRI were performed in 41 patients with unilateral or bilateral calcifications on orthopantomographs. Anamnestic data relevant to stroke risk were gathered. Results: Significant stenosis >50% was found in almost 15% of our patients. There was a significant correlation between hypertension and carotid calcifications. No statistically significant correlation between calcifications and significant stenosis was found. Patients with previous stroke were approximiately 5 years older than those without stroke. Conclusion: Preliminary results show no statistically significant correlation between calcifications on orthopantomography and significant carotid stenosis, but further investigation is needed.
