Accuracy of Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Determining the Location of the Genial Tubercle

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CT) to predict the location of the genial tubercle. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Cadaver study for anatomic analysis of 17 adult human cadaver heads. Each skull/cadaver head underwent radiographic imaging with cone beam CT and cadaver dissection. Measurements, including mandibular height (MH), genial tubercle width (GTW), genial tubercle height (GTH), distance from inferior border of mandible to genial tubercle (IBM/GT), and mandibular thickness (MT) were recorded. RESULTS: Statistical analysis with paired t test showed no significant difference between cadaver dissections versus cone beam measurements. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals (CI) were as follows: GTW (−0.2 to 1.0), GTH (−0.1 to 0.9), distance IBM/GT (−0.8 to 5.0), MH (−1.3 to −2.6), and MT (−0.1 to 0.3). CONCLUSION: These results show the accuracy of the 3D cone beam CT in the anatomic location of the genial tubercle. SIGNIFICANCE: This radiographic technique may prove useful in pre-operative planning for the mandibular osteotomy in genioglossus advancement procedures.