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Observation of the temporal crest canal in the mandibular ramus by cone beam computed tomography and macroscopic study

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International Journal of Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The mandibular ramus is regarded as a relatively safe zone for a sagittal splitting osteotomy or for harvesting bone during implant treatment. The only important anatomical structure is the mandibular canal. The mandible has some anatomical variants that need to be recognized, such as a bifid mandibular canal, a retromolar canal, and rarely a temporal crest canal (TCC). In this study, cadaver mandibles were used to evaluate the TCC in the mandibular ramus using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods

Altogether, 90 sites on 48 mandibles from Japanese cadavers were examined in this study. The CBCT volumetric images were acquired for areas of 79 mm\(\varphi \times \) 71 mm. Three-dimensional observation of the images was undertaken to estimate the frequency, position of the orifices, and canal continuity. The cadaver mandibles in which the TCCs were observed were dissected from the inner surface to confirm the contents.

Results

Five TCCs (5.6 %) were observed in 90 observation areas. At least one TCC was confirmed in four (8.3 %) of 48 mandibles. Two types of TCC were recognized. Dissection revealed that they contained neurovascular bundles.

Conclusion

Three-dimensional diagnosis is essential prior to surgical procedures in the mandibular ramus because unexpected blood vessels may be present that may cause bleeding or complications during the surgery.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Munetaka Naitoh and Eiichiro Ariji (Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University) for their assistance.

Conflict of interest T. Kawai, R. Asaumi, Y. Kumazawa, I. Sato, and T. Yosue declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Life Dentistry at Tokyo, Nippon Dental University, 1-9-20, Fujimi Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-8159, Japan

    Taisuke Kawai, Rieko Asaumi & Takashi Yosue

  2. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nippon Dental University Hospital, 2-3-16, Fujimi Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-8158, Japan

    Yasuo Kumazawa

  3. Department of Anatomy, School of Life Dentistry at Tokyo, Nippon Dental University, 1-9-20, Fujimi Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-8159, Japan

    Iwao Sato

Authors
  1. Taisuke Kawai
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  2. Rieko Asaumi
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  3. Yasuo Kumazawa
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  4. Iwao Sato
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  5. Takashi Yosue
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Taisuke Kawai.

Additional information

The authors presented the contents of this study at the CARS 2012 Congress in Pisa, Italy. We thank the judges for giving us 1st prize in the category of CMI poster awards.

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Kawai, T., Asaumi, R., Kumazawa, Y. et al. Observation of the temporal crest canal in the mandibular ramus by cone beam computed tomography and macroscopic study. Int J CARS 9, 295–299 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-013-0931-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11548-013-0931-6

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