Localization of the mandibular neurovascular bundle using dental magnetic resonance imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the reliability of a commercially available 3D-MPR MRI program for the jaws for imaging the mandibular neurovascular bundle.


METHODS
A gradient echo sequence (TR: 49 ms/TE: 6.3 ms/flip angle: 25 degrees/excitations: 3) with a spectral fat suppression pre-impulse and a voxel size of 0.9 x 0.9 x 0.8 mm was designed. Cross-sectional and panoramic reconstruction of the whole mandible were performed from the axial scans using Easy Vision (Philips, Best, The Netherlands) software package. The ability of differentiate the mandibular neurovascular bundle was assessed in 11 patients.


RESULTS
The mandibular neurovascular bundle was clearly visualized in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Dental MRI is a possible alternative to plain films or CT for patients requiring surgery near the mandibular canal.
Nasel
C
C
Department of Radiology, University of Vienna, Währingergürtel, Austria.
Gahleitner
A
A
Breitenseher
M
M
Czerny
C
C
Glaser
C
C
Solar
P
P
Imhof
H
H
D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation; D008340:Mandibular Nerve; D012984:Software