The aim of this retrospective study is to determine the presence of carotid artery calcifications (CAC) detected on panoramic radiographs in hemodialysis patients and relationship between and traditional risk factors evaluated. This study was designed as a retrospective study evaluating totally 143 patients (92 hemodialysis, 51 controlsubjects) who presented to, the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology for routine examination. The subjects were assessed for the presence of traditional risk factors and the possible association to CAC. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test. P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Carotid artery calcification (CAC) was observed in 28 (30.4%) of 92 patients in hemodialysis group and 6 (11.8%) of 51 patients in the control group (P=0.012). Diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, age, parathyroidectomy, and longer hemodialysis duration were significantly (P<0.05) related to the presence of CAC while gender, and smoking were not significantly (P>0.05) related to CAC. No statistically significant differences were observed between males and females (P=0.07). The prevalence of CAC is higher in hemodialysis patients compared to general population. The increased age, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and parathyroidectomy are associated with a high CAC prevalence.
 

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