Diagnostic ability of limited volume cone beam computed tomography with small voxel size in identifying the superior and inferior walls of the mandibular canal

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the visibility of the superior and inferior walls of the mandibular canal separately using limited volume cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) with small voxel size.MethodsCBCT cross-sectional images of 86 patients obtained by 3D Accuitomo FPD and reconstructed with a voxel size of 0.08 mm were used for the evaluation. A 30-mm range of the mandible just distal to the mental foramen was divided into three equal areas (areas 1, 2, and 3, from anterior to posterior). Each area contained 10 cross-sectional images. Two observers evaluated the visibility of the superior and inferior walls of the mandibular canal on each of the cross-sectional images in these three areas. The visibility ratio in each area was determined as the number of cross-sectional images with a visible wall divided by 10.ResultsIn all areas, the visibility ratio of the superior wall was significantly lower than that of the inferior wall. As for variance among the three areas, the ratio was highest in the most posterior area (area 3) and tended to decrease gradually towards the mental foramen for both walls. Cases in which more than two thirds of the superior wall could be identified (visibility ratio of 0.7 or more) in areas 1, 2, and 3 were 44, 62, and 66%, respectively.ConclusionsThe superior wall was significantly more poorly visualized than the inferior wall in all areas examined. The visibility of the superior wall on CBCT images was limited even when a limited volume device with small voxel size was used.

The Radiological Evaluation of Mandibular Canal Related Variables in Mandibular Third Molar Region: a Retrospective Multicenter Study

“…The structure of MC has been controversial owing to lack of longitudinal studies [22,23]. Visualization is the first step in MC assessment, and it highly depends on cortication status of MC wall [32]. In present study, not all the MC walls can be measured because walls are often not visible.…”

Análisis Comparativo de la Visualización del Canal Mandibular Mediante Tomografía Computarizada Cone Beam en Humanos

“…En acuerdo con esta premisa Shokri et al describieron que el canal mandibular aparece como una zona radiolúcida rodeada por un márgen superior e inferior radiopaco en las imágenes, cuya corticalización es diversa, haciendo que la definición de dichos márgenes no sea una característica constante y regular. De hecho en el 56,3 % de los casos es posible distinguir las corticales, y en el 43,7 % no fue posible identificar de forma concreta estos detalles Ishii et al (2018),. señalaron que cortical superior reviste mayor importancia, porque junto con la cortical alveolar son importantes a la hora de colocar implantes.…”