Anatomical characteristics and visibility of mental foramen and accessory mental foramen: Panoramic radiography vs. cone beam CT
Med. oral patol. oral cir. bucal (Internet)
; 20(6): e707-e714, nov. 2015. tab, ilus
Article
in English
| IBECS
| ID: ibc-144703
Responsible library:
ES1.1
Localization: BNCS
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The mental foramen (MF) is a small foramen located in the anterolateral region of the mandible through which the mental nerve and vessels emerge. The knowledge on the anatomic characteristics and variations of MF is very important in surgical procedures involving that area. The aim of this study was two-fold firstly, to analyze the anatomic characteristics of MF and the presence of accessory mental foramen (AMF) using CBCT and, secondly, to compare the capability of CBCT and PAN in terms of MF and AMF visualization, as well as influencing factors. MATERIAL ANDMETHODS:
A sample of 344 CBCT scans was analyzed for presence and characteristics (i.e. diameter, area, shape, exit angle) of MF and AMF. Subsequently, corresponding PANs were analyzed to ascertain whether MF and AMF were visible.RESULTS:
Out of the 344 patients, 344 (100%) MFs and 45 (13%) AMFs were observed on CBCT. Regarding gender, MF diameter and area, MF-MIB and MF-MSB distances, and exit angle were all significantly higher in males. Also, statistically significant differences were found in terms of age and dental status. Statistically significant differences in MF long and short diameters and MF area were found with respect to AMF presence (p=.021, p=.008, p=.021). Only 83.87% of the MFs and 45.83% of the AMFs identified on CBCT were also visible on PANs. MF diameter, shape, exit angle, and age had a significant influence on MF visualization on PAN (B=.43, p=.005; B=-.55, p=.020; B=.20, p=.008; B=.61, p=.005).CONCLUSIONS:
PAN is not an adequate technique to properly identify MF and AMF. Diameter, shape, exit angle, and age are all factors influencing MF visualization on PAN images. For surgery involving the MF anatomical region, a preoperative radiological study with CBCT is of crucial importance to avoid complications
Full text:
Available
Collection:
National databases
/
Spain
Database:
IBECS
Main subject:
Radiography, Panoramic
/
Plastic Surgery Procedures
/
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
/
Mandible
Type of study:
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Med. oral patol. oral cir. bucal (Internet)
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article
Institution/Affiliation country:
University of Santiago de Compostela/Spain