Assessment of the styloid process in panoramic radiographs of patients with chronic kidney disease

• Grant number: 24/06892-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Karem López Ortega
• Grantee: Gabrielle de Wasconcellos Franco
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

There are several complications resulting from chronic kidney disease. The decline in kidney function, among other consequences, causes an imbalance of calcitriol, calcium, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone in the body, resulting in bone mineral disease (BMD), which is characterized by alterations in bone tissue remodeling and extra-skeletal calcifications. These calcifications occur due to the deposition of calcium phosphate in soft tissues and may be one of the indications of cardiovascular compromise in patients with CKD. The identification of calcifications in soft tissues, such as the stylohyoid ligament, can be detected through imaging exams, such as panoramic radiographs. Since cardiovascular involvement is the leading cause of death in CKD patients, it is possible that the identification of stylohyoid ligament calcifications may be correlated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in CKD patients and may thus be a tool to assist in the prevention of these events.