Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
Comparison of three radiographic methods used to locate the mandibular canal in the buccolingual direction before bilateral sagittal split osteotomy*,**,*,**,*,**,

https://doi.org/10.1067/moe.2002.122639Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective. Panoramic radiographs, computerized tomography (CT), and conventional spiral tomographic (Scanora, Soredex, Helsinki, Finland) radiographs were compared for their ability to locate the mandibular canal in the buccolingual direction. Furthermore, the relationship between the cortication of the mandibular canal in panoramic radiographs and the location of the canal in both computerized and conventional tomographic radiographs was assessed. Study design. The buccolingual location of the mandibular canal was determined bilaterally in twenty consecutive patients scheduled for bilateral sagittal split osteotomy. The position of the mandibular canal was evaluated by means of panoramic radiography, Scanora, and CT. The three imaging methods were compared for their ability to locate the mandibular canal in the buccolingual direction. The subjective neurosensory deficit of the lower lip and chin on both sides was registered preoperatively and at 4 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months after surgery, and the operative outcome was analyzed in relation to the distance from the mandibular canal to the buccal cortex of the mandible. Results. CT gave better visualization of the mandibular canal than Scanora imaging. Cortication of the mandibular canal on the panoramic radiograph did not serve as a predictor of the proximity of the mandibular canal to the cortices of the mandible. At 3-month follow-up, there were only eight operated sides with abnormal sensation of the lower lip and chin. In seven of these sides, the distance from the mandibular canal to the buccal cortex was less than 2 mm. Conclusion. The buccolingual location of the mandibular canal is visualized better with CT than with Scanora or panoramic radiographs. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2002;93:736-42)

Section snippets

Material and methods

Twenty consecutive patients scheduled for BSSO agreed to participate in this study, which was approved by the ethical committee at the University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. Eleven of the patients were women and nine were men. Their ages ranged from 17 to 55 years, with a mean of 32 years. The indication for the operation was retrognathism in 16 cases and prognathism in 4. The operation was performed according to the Obwegeser-Dal Pont modification4 of the original method of sagittal split

Results

Altogether, 40 sides in 20 patients scheduled for BSSO were evaluated radiographically before surgery. Sensation in these 40 sides was self-evaluated and recorded at 4 days, 3 weeks, and 3 months after surgery. All patients had normal sensation in their chin and lip before the operation.

Our findings showed that it is possible to estimate the buccolingual location of the mandibular canal by means of CT more clearly than by conventional tomographic or panoramic radiography. On panoramic

Discussion

Mandibular orthognathic surgery may result in vascular and neurologic complications. To reduce these complications and to improve the quality of care, a well-planned surgical approach should include a proper anamnestic and clinical evaluation and selected radiographs that localize the anatomic structures in the surgical field. Image methods that provide precise localization of the mandibular canal and involve a minimal risk of exposure to ionizing radiation should be selected. This information

Conclusion

Locating the mandibular canal in the posterior region of the mandible is important before mandibular orthognathic surgery. However, the recommendations for the application of imaging techniques should be based on clinical necessity: the need for the portrayal of anatomic or topographic conditions, the ease of image production, the information expected from the image, the biologic risk for the patient, and financial considerations. Therefore, in principle, cross-sectional imaging should be

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    *

    aAssistant Professor of Oral Surgery, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, and Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Oulu University Hospital, Finland.

    **

    bPostgraduate Student, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Finland.

    *

    cResident in Oral Radiology, Department of Diagnostics and Oral Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, and Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Oulu University Hospital, Finland.

    **

    dAssistant Professor of Oral Radiology, Department of Diagnostics and Oral Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu.

    *

    eFormerly, Professor and Acting Head, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu; Currently, Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University, Kuwait.

    **

    Source of funding for research: Oulu University Hospital.

    Reprints requests: Leena Ylikontiola, DDS, Institute of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, PL 5281, FIN-90014, University of Oulu, Finland, [email protected]

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