A radiological study of degenerative vascular changes in the external carotid region and carotid bifurcation.

In a series of 79 autopsies performed on subjects aged from 18 to 95 years occlusions in the external carotid, maxillary and inferior alveolar arteries were rare: only two cases were found in the maxillary and one in the inferior alveolar arteries. Tortuosity of the arteries increased with age, being most extensive in the external carotid and least in the inferior alveolar artery. Variations in the diameter of the maxillary artery occurred in 11 persons (14%), the incidence increasing with age. The youngest person showing such changes was aged 55 years. The average diameter of the arterial lumen of the inferior alveolar artery decreased with advancing age. This narrowing of the lumen also correlated with the loss of teeth. Calcified atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid bifurcation were present in 59% of the cases studied. In persons aged over 60 years a correlation was found between the carotid calcifications and coronary artery disease.