Juxta-apical radiolucency: Relation with the mandibular canal and cortical plates based on cone beam CT imaging

Publication date: Available online 18 December 2016
Source:Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology
Author(s): Eduarda Helena Leandro Nascimento, Anne Corolina Costa Oenning, Mariana da Rocha Nadaes, Gláucia Maria Bovi Ambrosano, Francisco Haiter-Neto, Deborah Queiroz de Freitas
ObjectivesTo evaluate the relation of juxta-apical radiolucencies (JAR) to the mandibular canal and cortical plates on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, as well as to assess whether the presence of JAR is related to the position of the mandibular canal.Study DesignForty-seven JAR cases were evaluated through CBCT. JAR position and its relationship to the mandibular canal and cortical plates were investigated. The position of the mandibular canal was recorded and compared to a control group. Descriptive analyses and chi-square tests were performed.ResultsA significant association was established between JAR and the position of the mandibular canal (p=0.0193), which was positioned lingually in 59.6% of JAR cases. In most cases, JAR was located distally to the tooth (66%) and in contact with the mandibular canal, either with (53.2%) or without (40.4%) preservation of the cortical border of the canal. In 22 cases (46.8%), thinning of cortical plates was observed, but no statistical differences were found between buccal and lingual sides (p=0.5728).ConclusionsThe mandibular canal is located lingually in the third molar region in most JAR cases. JAR is located distal to the tooth and generally in contact with the mandibular canal. These relations may increase the risk of nerve injury during surgical removal of third molars.



http://ift.tt/2hLP5Lc