Case Reports of a New Method for Differential Diagnosis of Calcified Carotid Artery Atheroma.

ABSTRACT

Introduction. Early diagnosis of calcified atheromas may decrease morbidity and mortality caused by brain and cardiovascular diseases, in which atherosclerosis is the main etiological factor of these pathologies. Dental examinations with the aim of detecting this pathology have been in progress since 1981, such as panoramic radiography, considered the most widely studied method for this diagnosis. However, some limitations of this exam have been reported with reference to inability to visualize the cervical region and difficulty of establishing a precise diagnosis because of many structures and calcifications that have similar radiographic characteristics. Case Report. The present study to describe a dental radiographic technique for establishing the differential diagnosis of calcified atheromas regarding other calcifications and reporting 3 clinical cases that demonstrate its effectiveness in different clinical situations. Discussion. Manzi Projection can promote a differential diagnosis of calcified atheromas in dental practice and consequently subsidize the clinician for referring the patient to the physician.