A diagonal earlobe crease heralds intracranial carotid artery atherosclerotic plaques on cone beam images, an acknowledged cause of stroke.

OBJECTIVE

An observational study was conducted to determine whether neurologically asymptomatic older male patients demonstrating a diagonal earlobe crease (DELC), a known "risk factor" for future stroke, predicts the presence of petrous/cavernous segment intracranial internal carotid artery calcified atherosclerotic plaques (IICACAPs) on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

STUDY

DESIGN

Two maxillofacial radiologists examined facial photographs, determining by consensus the presence of DELC+ among 51 male patients (≥55 years). Masked as to DELC status, the radiologists then determined by consensus the presence of IICACAPs on CBCT images. Finally, they queried each participant as to their atherogenic risk factors.

RESULTS

The study group (DELC+) consisted of 31 male patients (mean age 69.54±8.46 years) and the control group (DELC-) included 20 male patients (mean age 66.2±6.78 years). Among the total number (N = 28) of patients evidencing IICCAPs, 19 were DELC+ (67.85%) and 9 (32.14%) were DELC-. . The difference in the prevalence rates of IICACAPs between groups was statistically significant (P = .0125), as was a history of hypertension, which was found mainly in the DELC+ cohort (P = .033).

CONCLUSIONS

Older, hypertensive men with DELC are significantly more likely to show IICACAPs on their CBCT images than are those without a crease.