Canalis sinuosus: a systematic review of the literature

Publication date: Available online 8 January 2019

Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology

Author(s): Rafaela Ferlin, Bruna Stuchi Centurion Pagin, Renato Yassutaka Faria Yaedú

ABSTRACT

Objective

To conduct a systematic review of the frequency, location, diameter, variations in course, relation to the course of the anterior superior alveolar nerve (ASAN), age, gender, and surgical implications of canalis sinuosus (CS), identified through imaging exams, macerated skulls, or cadaver heads.

Study design

Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched and articles were analyzed by two reviewers. The works were selected using well-established inclusion criteria. The Hawker scale was used for quality analysis. A kappa test measured inter-observer agreement.

Result

The search identified 70 articles, of which 11 were selected for extraction and data analysis. Most studies consisted of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations of the location, diameter, and variable presence of accessory channels (ACs) in CS. In total, 90.9% of the studies were of high or moderate quality.

Conclusion

CS may present variations in its course, location and diameter. It involves anterior superior alveolar nerve (ASAN) extension to ACs in the anterior palate region. No statistically significant differences between age or gender were discovered in the studies. Most articles report the relevance of CS identification in surgical procedures close to the canal and emphasize the importance of awareness of variable appearance of CS.

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