IADR Abstract Archives
Cone Beam Computed Tomography observations of the mandibular lingual canals
Objectives: The mandibular lingual canal is a consistent finding within the anterior mandible. It contains a blood vessel that may hemorrhage if perforated during mandibular surgery.
Evaluate the presence, number, diameter, and course of mandibular lingual canals using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Methods: 20 CBCT of 11 female and 9 male patients, were analyzed by the same imaging software.
Images were processed in axial, sagittal, and paraxial sections and the measurement tools of the software were used.
Absence of cystic or tumoral pathologies that could hide anatomical structures of the mandible.
Absence of artifacts that did not allow or obstruct measurements.
All findings and measurements were made by a single and trained examiner.
Results: At least 1 canal was observed in all CBCT.
A single canal was observed in 50% of patients; 2 canals were observed in 30% of patients; and a triple foramen was observed in 20% of patients.
The diameter of the main branch ranged from 0.4 to 2.2 mm and the typical lingual canal locations were the midline of the mandible.
Lateral foramina were also located at the lingual side of the anterior mandible but not the midline. All the specimen had lateral foramens.
Conclusions: A single lingual canal was present in 50% of the studied CBCT. The main location was the midline of the mandible.
Careful preoperative planning taking into account the anatomical location of these foramina might help to avoid complications due to damage to the foramina, their canals, and their contents.
Evaluate the presence, number, diameter, and course of mandibular lingual canals using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Methods: 20 CBCT of 11 female and 9 male patients, were analyzed by the same imaging software.
Images were processed in axial, sagittal, and paraxial sections and the measurement tools of the software were used.
Absence of cystic or tumoral pathologies that could hide anatomical structures of the mandible.
Absence of artifacts that did not allow or obstruct measurements.
All findings and measurements were made by a single and trained examiner.
Results: At least 1 canal was observed in all CBCT.
A single canal was observed in 50% of patients; 2 canals were observed in 30% of patients; and a triple foramen was observed in 20% of patients.
The diameter of the main branch ranged from 0.4 to 2.2 mm and the typical lingual canal locations were the midline of the mandible.
Lateral foramina were also located at the lingual side of the anterior mandible but not the midline. All the specimen had lateral foramens.
Conclusions: A single lingual canal was present in 50% of the studied CBCT. The main location was the midline of the mandible.
Careful preoperative planning taking into account the anatomical location of these foramina might help to avoid complications due to damage to the foramina, their canals, and their contents.