Joe Iwanaga1, Michitsuna Katafuchi2, Yuki Matsushita3, Tomotaka Kato4, Keith Horner5, R Shane Tubbs6. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA; Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan; Division of Gross and Clinical Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan. Electronic address: iwanagajoeca@gmail.com. 2. MK Periodontics and Implants, Tacoma/Kirkland, WA, USA. 3. University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Clinical Oral Oncology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan. 4. Division of General Dentistry, Nippon Dental University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. 5. Radiology, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. 6. Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane Center for Clinical Neurosciences, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA; Department of Neurosurgery and Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, LA, USA; Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada; Department of Structural & Cellular Biology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Previous studies of the mandibular canal (MC) have raised questions about the structure of its superior wall that have not been answered. The goal of this anatomical and radiological study was to investigate how CBCT imaging could predict the structure of the superior wall of the MC. METHODS: Twenty sides from ten dry mandibles derived from six females and four males were used for this study. The mandibles were examined with CBCT. The specimens were then prepared by the methods of our previous study and observed inferiorly. The inferior views were classified into four groups by gross observation of the surface of the superior wall of the MC: class I (trabecular pattern), class II (osteoporotic pattern), class III (dense/irregular pattern), and class IV (smooth pattern). Coronal section CBCT images were classed according to whether the superior wall of the MC was visible. RESULTS: Class I was most common in dentulous sections in both genders, and class IV was most common class in edentulous sections in both genders. The superior wall was visible in 59.1% in dentulous and 84.9% in edentulous sections, and non-visible in the remainder. CONCLUSION: Tooth presence and sex are important factors influencing the superior wall of the MC. When the superior wall cannot be seen on CBCT, it is more likely to belong to class II (osteoporotic) than other classes.
INTRODUCTION: Previous studies of the mandibular canal (MC) have raised questions about the structure of its superior wall that have not been answered. The goal of this anatomical and radiological study was to investigate how CBCT imaging could predict the structure of the superior wall of the MC. METHODS: Twenty sides from ten dry mandibles derived from six females and four males were used for this study. The mandibles were examined with CBCT. The specimens were then prepared by the methods of our previous study and observed inferiorly. The inferior views were classified into four groups by gross observation of the surface of the superior wall of the MC: class I (trabecular pattern), class II (osteoporotic pattern), class III (dense/irregular pattern), and class IV (smooth pattern). Coronal section CBCT images were classed according to whether the superior wall of the MC was visible. RESULTS: Class I was most common in dentulous sections in both genders, and class IV was most common class in edentulous sections in both genders. The superior wall was visible in 59.1% in dentulous and 84.9% in edentulous sections, and non-visible in the remainder. CONCLUSION: Tooth presence and sex are important factors influencing the superior wall of the MC. When the superior wall cannot be seen on CBCT, it is more likely to belong to class II (osteoporotic) than other classes.