Cone beam computed tomography for evaluation of mandibular lingual canal in an Egyptian subpopulation

Background A sample of three hundred cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans was evaluated. Median lingual canals (MLC) were identified and classified according to their anatomical location. Evaluation of the canal diameter, length, thickness of the buccal cortical plate, and the remaining bone above and below the canal was performed. The results were assessed twice with 2 weeks interval and statistically analyzed. The study was designed to evaluate MLC in an Egyptian subpopulation by the use of CBCT. Results Most of the scans presented with one MLC, with a maximum number of four canals, the mean diameter was 1.68± 1.27 mm, with a statistically significant difference in the length from the canal opening to the alveolar crest between females and males. Conclusions As the study detected a high prevalence of the MLC with a vast majority of the canals supra-spinosum, a vigilant examination is required using CBCT to avoid subsequent bleeding and airway obstruction.

CBCT INVESTIGATION OF THE INTRABONY CANAL COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE VESTIBULAR AND LINGUAL PLATES IN THE ANTERIOR MANDIBLE

Purpose: To assess the presence of the vestibulo - lingual intrabony canal communications (VLC) in the anterior mandible using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: Study material included 200 CBCT scans taken for preoperative planning of implant placement. The images were examined carefully by three observers concerning the presence of VLC. Interobserver agreement in identification of the canal communications was excellent (mean kappa value – 0.82). Results: Vestibulo - lingual communications were found in 27 % of cases. The communications appeared as a crossing of the lateral lingual canal with the mandibular incisive canal (type 1), as a connection between midline lingual canal (or canals) and a vestibular nutrient canal (type 2) or as a lateral lingual canal connected with the anterior loop of the mandibular canal (type 3). The main type of VLC is those between a lateral lingual canal and mandibular incisive canal – 85.2% from all of the VLCs. Conclusions: A considerable part (27%) of Bulgarian citizens has vestibulo - lingual communications in the anterior mandible. The type 1 communication prevails, and it is more frequently located on the right side. The knowledge about vestibulo - lingual communications could contribute a better understanding of bone tumor invasion but further studies are necessary.

Evaluation of the Lingual Canals of Mandible in Cone Beam Computed Tomography

This study aims to assess the frequency of the lingual foramina and canals relative to their location on the mandibular cortical plate and also to closely inspect the course of the lingual canals inside the mandibular body using 3D reconstruction of the evaluated area. A retrospective study was conducted with 55 cone bean computed tomography (CBCT) scans in order to analyze the location, number, course and anastomosing pattern of the lingual canals. A total number of 165 lingual canals (LCs) were recorded from 55 patients, as follows: 94 median (MLC), 16 paramedian (PLC) and 55 lateral lingual canals (LLC). MLCs were a constant finding in all 55 patients (100% of the cases), PLCs were present in 15 patients (27.3% of the cases), and LLCs were identified in 35 patients (63.3% of the cases). The anastomosing pattern of the MLC, in which a supraspinous canal anastomosed with an infraspinous canal, was found in 10.9% of the cases (6 of 55 patients),. The LLCs were anastomosed with the mandibular incisive canal (MIC) in 56.3% of the cases (31 of 55 LLCs) and with the mandibular canal (MC) in 3.6% of the cases (2 of 55 LLCs). CBCT revealed itself to be a reliable tool for evaluating the intramandibular topography of the LCs. The anastomosing pattern of the lingual canals might raise the question whether the LCs could be responsible for incomplete anesthesia after conventional mandibular block by carrying sensory innervation from the mylohyoid nerve to the inferior alveolar nerve. Keywords: mandible, lingual canal, intramandibular anastomosis, CBCT