Extra- and intra-cranial arterial calcifications in adults depicted as incidental findings on cone beam CT images

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate, retrospectively, the gender- and age-related prevalence of incidentally found calcifications, depicted within the course of the extra- and intra-cranial portion of internal carotid artery (ICA), in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations in adults, and to assess their clinical significance. Materials and methods. Out of a pull of 700 CBCT examinations a total of 484 CBCT scans of adult patients were finally selected according to a set of pre-defined criteria. These were evaluated for arterial calcifications presence within the ICAs course according to gender and age criteria. Results. In total, 492 calcifications were detected: 211 (42.88%) extra-cranial and 281 (57.11%) intra-cranial. Those were recorded in 150 scans (30.99%) and 161 scans (33.26%), respectively. Calcifications, with either extra- or intra-cranial allocation, were found more frequent in males than in females (all p-values < 0.05); also patients who presented with positive findings were older than those without findings (all p-values < 0.05). Furthermore, calcification presence with either extra- or intra-cranial allocation increases with age (all p-values < 0.05). Conclusion. Significant calcification frequencies were found within the ICA’s course, in CBCT scans. Moreover, an increased incidence of either extra- or intra-cranial presence of these depictions and its relation to age and gender was documented.

Key Words:

• calcifications
• carotid artery
• cone beam computed tomography
• internal carotid artery
• diagnosis

Acknowledgments

We thank Tia Almpoura, MScPsy, who provided editorial assistance in the preparation of this manuscript. We are grateful to Irene Aartman, PhD, MScPsy, for conducting the statistical analysis.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.