Evaluation of mandibular lingual canal in North Indian population by cone beam computed tomography

Abstract

A numerous unnamed accessory canals and foramina have been reported in maxilla and mandible, especially on the lingual aspect, at the midline, lateral to the lingual and mental foramina as well as in the canine–premolar region of the mandible. Given all the potential complications that could arise from an undetected accessory canal, pre-operative radiographs are the standard diagnostic means to rule out such variations. Out of many radiographic techniques, cone beam computed tomographyCBCT) is a suitable diagnostic method for accessory canals of the jaw due to good image quality, excellent geometric accuracy and low radiation exposure to patient. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the frequency and distribution of median lingual canal (MLC) in North Indian population by the use of CBCT. A retrospective analysis of 100 CBCT scans of mandible showing anterior region (51 males and 49 females) of patients from North India; ages ranging from 20- 60 years who visited a diagnostic centre were randomly selected for this study. The CBCT scan evaluation was carried with Carestream 3D software. The frequency and distribution of median lingual canal in anterior region of mandible were evaluated. Two oral and maxillofacial radiologists examined all images to analyze the location median lingual canal with respect to gender and age.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software to determine the frequency and distribution of median lingual canal. About 100 patients (male = 51 and female = 49) shows the presence of median lingual canal with prevalence rate of 100%.Only one patient shows three canals. MLC was observed in all 100 cases with prevalence rate of 100%. The study shows the maximum prevalence of two MLC i.e. 60.0% among all. The maximum number of one MLC was present in female cases and maximum number of two MLC was present in male cases. 1MLC was maximum in the age group of 51–60 years, while the 2 MLC and 3 MLC canal was maximum in the age group of 41–50 years of total 100 scans respectively. Statistically, no significant differences were observed in the presence of MLC between gender and among various age groups. The prevalence of MLC near to 100% mandates a thorough radiographic analysis prior to any surgical procedure especially for implant placement in the anterior region of the mandible. A vigilant examination is required using CBCT to avoid post-operative complications.