Anatomical study of the canalis sinuosus in 100 cone beam computed tomography examinations

To identify and describe the morphology and location of the canalis sinuosus (CS) and make correlations with gender, age, and distance of this canal to important adjacent structures on the region, thus mapping the anatomy of this structure.

A total of 100 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations were collected from the files of a dental clinic in the Municipality of Belém, Pará, Brazil, and analyzed to identify the site of bifurcation, the diameter of CS right after such bifurcation and in its terminal portion as well as the direction of its course and the distance to the alveolar bone crest region. The anatomical views were evaluated using InVivoDental software on sagittal, axial, and coronal sections, and the results were submitted to Fisher's exact test, Kendall correlation coefficients, Mann-Whitney tests, and T tests.

CS was present in 88 % of the sample. There were no statistically significant changes in the presence of CS regarding gender, age and direction of course. A strong positive correlation between CS's diameter on its initial and terminal portions was observed (p < 0.0001). There was a statistically significant change in the distance to alveolar bone crest related to gender, which is higher in men (p = 0.0303).

In the sample, CS was frequent and similar in both genders, with course distance to the alveolar bone crest and termination in different locations that ought to be analyzed on CBCT prior to surgical procedures.