Canal mandibular accesorio: Análisis de su prevalencia y aspecto imagenológico

Abstract

Introduction: The presence of accessory canals in the mandible has been reported in the literature, still challenge the view that anatomical variation of submission. The recognition of these formations is of great importance in implantology practice. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of accessory mandibular canal and set their course and relationship to surrounding anatomic elements in dry mandibles of adult skulls belonging to the Museum of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo, using computed tomography images. Matherial & Method: 294 known sex and age jaws were analyzed, belonging to 195 men and 99 women, aged between 18 and 100 years old, which were inspected visually and using a metal indicator, which is held to obtain their images in computed axial tomography, examining its panoramic view and coronal sections. Results: The prevalence of accessory mandibular canal was 1.7% (5/294), all extended parallel to the main canal, projecting above the mental foramen, with a partial corticalization. Discussion: The accessory mandibular canal has a low prevalence in the sample, we propose that their presence is associated with an independent projection of the branches of the inferior alveolar nerve, whose evaluation is necessary to avoid its commitment in mandibular implant procedures.