Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
12-2011
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Oral Biology
Committee Chair
Scarfe, William C.
Author's Keywords
Carotid artery calcification; Cone beam tomography; Soft tissue calcification
Subject
Arteries--Calcification; Diagnostic imaging
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the incidence and imaging characteristics of soft tissue calcifications on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). 556 CBCT image datasets were reviewed and 308 included. The following conditions were recorded: 1) Carotid artery calcifications (CAC), 2) Triticeous cartilage (TC), 3) Superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage (SCT), 4) Tonsilloliths (T) and, 5) Other including lymph nodes (0). The age and sex of patients who were excluded served as controls. 107 (34.75%) demonstrated at least one calcification. Those with calcifications were approximately 12 years older than controls (t value = 6.32, p < 0.001). The incidence of calcifications in decreasing order are TC (11.4%), CAC (10.4%), T (10.4%) and, SCT (5.2%). Differential location and appearance of calcifications were described. Soft tissue calcifications were a common finding with TC, CAC and T presenting in almost equal frequency. Calcifications exhibit unique characteristics on CBCT images.
Recommended Citation
Wells, Adam B. 1977-, "Incidence of soft tissue calcifications of the head and neck region on maxillofacial cone beam computed tomography." (2011). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1545.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/1545
