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A false presence of bifid mandibular canals in panoramic radiographs
1School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Yongbongdong, Gwangju, South Korea.
Objectives:
This study was performed in order to verify bifid mandibular canals revealed from panoramic radiographic results.
Methods:
1000 panoramic radiographs from dental patients and the panorama, cone beam CT (CBCT) and micro-CT from 40 dry mandibles were examined for bifid mandibular canals. The results were confirmed by a stereoscopic and histological examination of the cross-sectioned mandibles.
Results:
The prevalence of bifid canals detected from the panoramic radiographs was 0.038. The panoramic radiographs from one dry mandible showed two separate radiolucent mandibular canal-like structures delineated by radio-opaque lines. However, a stereoscopic and histological examination of a cross-section of the mandible showed that only one canal was a true canal containing neurovascular bundles: the other was false, reflecting merely a bony trabecular pattern.
Conclusions:
The presence of bifid mandibular canals determined by panoramic radiography should be judged with great caution in relation to dental surgery.
