Assessment of the anatomical course of the canalis sinuosus using cone beam computed tomography

Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to analyse the course of the canalis sinuosus (CS) until its termination in the anterior maxilla and chart its anatomical relationship with surrounding structures using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).MethodsThis study retrospectively analysed 100 CBCT scans (Accuitomo 170, Morita Corp., Kyoto, Japan) of the maxillary sinuses of patients at the Department of Oral Surgery and Stomatology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern. Vertical and horizontal distances between various anatomical structures and the CS were recorded.ResultsThe study included 62 females and 38 males with 45 right‐ and 55 left‐sided CBCTs selected by randomization. The mean age was 55.9 years (range 21–82 years). When comparing right‐ and left‐sided scans, there were statistically significant differences between a number of measurements. These included the most inferior point of the orbital rim and the floor of the nasal cavity (P = 0.04), the origin of the CS and the anterior loop of the descending CS (P = 0.034), and the origin of the CS and floor of the nasal cavity (P = 0.025).ConclusionsThe use of CBCT allowed investigation of the course of the CS as it progresses across the anterolateral wall of the maxillary sinus to be more accurately defined radiographically than has been previously described. There were some statistically significant differences between vertical measurements comparing left and right side, but none for age or gender. The rate of the identification of the CS using CBCT was 100%.

Examination of canalis sinuosus using cone beam computed tomography in an Australian population

“…One study 27 did not explain how the diameter was measured while other retrospective studies did not investigate diameter. 25,36,38,42,43,[49][50][51][52][53][54] There are only two reports on the presence of more than two CS (one in each quadrant) in a patient. The present study corroborates with von Arx et al 22 and Sekerci et al 34 where 4.08% and 3.3%, respectively, had three CS, while 0.56% and 0.8% of the above studies reported four CS.…”

“…Both Manhaes-Junior et al 42 and Tomrukc ßu and K€ ose 40 examined the relationship of CS with the buccal cortical bone, nasal cavity and ridge crest, while Lello et al 52 investigated the IOF, inferior point of the orbital rim and nasal aperture. Gurler et al 37 was the only study that examined the relationship of CS with an impacted tooth, while Lello et al 52 examined its relationship with adjacent structures like the IOF, infraorbital rim and nasal cavity. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to investigate the distance of CS from the closest root apex.…”

Canalis sinuosus approximation on an impacted maxillary canine: a case report

“…The canalis sinuosus (CS) is a vital neurovascular canal but rarely reports in the literature. 1,2 Jones in 1939, suggested the anatomical feature of CS and describing it as the nerve and blood vessels that leave the infraorbital nerve through the back section of the infraorbital foramen and pass laterally through a 2 mm diameter bone canal beside the nasal cavity. 3,4 The term 'canalis sinuosus' refers to the double-curved course of its structure, which extends for roughly 55 mm through the maxilla.…”

“…Infraorbital nerve medially bent to anterior wall of the maxillary sinus and passes along the infra-orbital foramen and has a lateral branch (canalis sinuosus), through which the anterior superior alveolar nerve passes. 2,5,7,8 In some cases, the extend of CS in the osseus can form an accessory canal. From study conducted by Machado et al (2016) it was found 52.1% from 1000 patients had accessory canal of CS and Aoki et al (2019) found 66.5 % of 206 patients had CS.…”

“…In addition, CBCT minimizes image overlap, allows for linear and angular measurements, and provides a multiplanar image reconstruction. [2][3][4]…”