Evaluation of mandibular canal in cross-sections of cone-beam CT images with the in terms of gender and age

Abstract

Introduction: Prior to performing any surgical procedure, it is important to pay attention to the anatomical structures of the area and determine their exact location. The mandibular canal, as a segment of the lower jaw with neural and blood vessels, is of particular biological importance and requires appropriate technique for investigation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the visibility of the mandibular canal in cross-sectional sections of cone-beam tomography (CBCT) according to age and sex criteria.

Method: In this study, mandibular CBCT images of 90 patients referred to radiology department of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were studied. Two radiologists, who had experience with the software used and CBCT images, evaluated cross-sectional images separately to determine whether or not the mandibular canal was seen in two vertical and horizontal dimensions. For each patient left and right mandibles’ images was evaluated separately. A checklist was prepared and if observed, the percentage of observation was recorded based on the cortical canal environment. Data were analyzed by SPSS v 24.

Results: Patients included 41 males (45.6%) and 49 females (54.4%). The mean age of the patients was 48.47 (18.7 +/-). In 66 patients (73.3%), the mandibular canal was observed in the left half and in 62 (68.9%) the right mandibular canal was seen in CBCT images. Gender had a significant effect on the rate of observation / non-observation of the channel so that women in both the left and the right were less likely to be observed (p = 0.016 on the left and P = 0.012 on the right). There was no difference in age at channel viewing (p = 0.898 on the left and P = 0.519 on the right). Also, there was no significant difference between left or right inferior semicircular canal (P = 0.51).

Conclusion: The present study showed that CBCT imaging technique is a suitable method for evaluation of mandibular canal. Gender has a significant effect on the rate of observation / non-observation of the channel. However, in this study there was no difference in the age and the left and right sideness in association with observation of mandibular canal.