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Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy
Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 9/2014

01-11-2014 | Original Article

Cone beam CT findings of retromolar canals in a Korean population

Authors: Sang-Sun Han, Young-Sun Hwang

Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Issue 9/2014

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Abstract

Purpose

The identification of the variation involving the mandibular canal is important during surgical procedures in the mandible. This study aims to investigate the incidence, course, width, and location of retromolar canals in a Korean population using cone beam CT.

Methods

The cross-sectional, sagittal, and three dimensional images from volumetric cone beam CT data of 446 patients were reconstructed using imaging analysis software for the presence of a retromolar canal. Retromolar canals were classified into three types according to the courses. The width and location (distance from the second molar) of retromolar canals were evaluated.

Results

A retromolar canal was observed in 8.5 % of patients (38/446). Most retromolar canals had vertically curved courses (Type 1, 66.7 %), followed by horizontally curved courses (Type 2, 20 %). Type 3 retromolar canals, which run independently from separate foramina in the mandibular ramus, were rare (13.3 %). The mean width of a retromolar canal was 1.13 mm (SD ± 0.38, 0.60–2.00), and the mean distance to the second molar was 14.08 mm (SD ± 3.85, 8.50–24.00).

Conclusions

The incidence of retromolar canals in the Korean population was lower than that reported in the investigated ethnic groups. In the presence of a retromolar canal, local anesthesia may be ineffective. The damage to a retromolar canal may be unavoidable during surgical procedures involving the mandible and may result in paresthesia, excessive bleeding, postoperative hematoma, or traumatic neuroma.
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Metadata
Title
Cone beam CT findings of retromolar canals in a Korean population
Authors
Sang-Sun Han
Young-Sun Hwang
Publication date
01-11-2014
Publisher
Springer Paris
Published in
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy / Issue 9/2014
Print ISSN: 0930-1038
Electronic ISSN: 1279-8517
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-014-1262-1

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