Anatomic Variations of Neural Canal Structures of the Mandible Observed by 3-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

High-resolution MRI performed on a 3.0-T system can effectively visualize variations of the inferior alveolar nerve in dentate mandible of patients. Thus, MRI can be used in dentistry and oral surgery in vague or unclear cases, which could not be clarified by orthopantomography or even a computed tomographic scan, to improve patient care.

Early detection of pulp necrosis and dental vitality after traumatic dental injuries in children and adolescents by 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging

“…By analyzing new sequences, even without using contrast media, highresolution 3T MRI was discovered to have growing investigative potential and the ability to visualize dental structures, e.g., periodontal structures and the dental pulp (Gaudino et al, 2011;Assaf et al, 2014). As already mentioned by other authors, we agree about the importance of direct positioning of the head and neck coil next to the jaw being very important for the illustrative quality of taken MRI images (Fedde et al, 1993;Stehling et al, 2007;Krasny et al, 2012).…”

“…The only exception was the visualization of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and salivary glands at 1.5T (He et al, 2013;Assaf et al, 2014). Although 3T MRI allows better image quality, e.g., for the demonstration of incisive canals by using modified T2 sequences (Krasny et al, 2012), 3T MRI also allows one to verify pathologies of further anatomical structures, e.g., salivary glands or cystic lesions (Habermann et al, 2007;Petridis et al, 2007;La'Porte et al, 2011;Assaf et al, 2014). One of the major limitations of MRI, compared with other imaging techniques such as CT or CBCT, is the long scanning time required due to diverse sequences with different image contrast (T1, T2, CISS), which makes its application tricky, especially in children.…”

Bifid Mandibular Canals: Prevalence and Implications

“…The presence of bifid mandibular canal also has other clinical implications that are of particular importance in surgical procedures involving the mandible, such as dental implant treatment, impacted third molar extraction, sagittal split ramus osteotomy and fracture osteosynthesis. Failure to accurately localize a bifid mandibular canal may result in damage to the IAN resulting in complications such as traumatic neuroma, paresthesia, anesthesia and bleeding during surgery (1,9,(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). Patients with a mandibular prosthesis and resorption of alveolar bone in the proximity of the retromolar pad may experience pain because of the pressure on the neurovascular bundle.…”

Mandibular canal, foramina of the mandible and their variations: part II: the clinical relevance of the preoperative radiographic evaluation and report of five cases

“…However, the conservative radiographic methods help to identify the radiopaque borders of the mandibular canal but not the content while this cannot be imagined. Hence, high-resolution MRI performed on a 3.0-T system can effectively visualise variations of the inferior alveolar nerve and canal in patients and can be used in unclear cases, which could not be clarified by a panoramic radiography or even a CT 23 . MRI gives the ability to identify the neurovascular bundle of the IAN (high signal) in relation with the surrounding bony (lower signal) and dental tissues (zero signal) [24][25][26] .…”