Evaluation of the Prevalence of Atherosclerosis Within the Course of Internal Carotid Artery in Cone Beam Computed Tomography Images

The aim of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate the gender-related and age-related prevalence and severity of calcifications within the segments of the internal carotid artery in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). By using a documented visual scale, out of 400 CBCT examinations a total of 304 CBCT scans of adult patients over 40 years old were evaluated as to the prevalence and severity of intracranial calcifications within the segments of the internal carotid artery. Calcifications were found in 117 CBCT scans. These calcifications were detected along the extracranial (C1: 53%), petrous (C2: 22.2%), Lacerum (C3:27%), cavernous (C4: 94%), and ophthalmic-clinoid (C5/C6: 65%) segments. The Friedman test showed significant differences in the severity of calcifications among the internal carotid artery segments. The McNemar test showed no significant differences between calcifications on the right or left side segments. The Chi square test showed no significant differences in the prevalence of calcifications between men and women; it also showed that the prevalence of calcifications increased with increase in age (P < 0.05). In this study, the frequency and severity of calcifications decreased throughout the C4, C5/C6, and C1 segments in a descending order; moreover, an increased incidence of calcifications by increase in age was documented irrespective of gender.