Using ultrasound to visualize the lingual nerve.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ultrasonography in visualizing the lingual nerve, calculating its distance from the lingual cortex at the area of the third molar, and in detecting injuries.


METHODS
Using a standardized protocol, lingual nerve dissections were performed in Yorkshire pig cadaver heads. After nerve isolation was confirmed, the nerve was left intact, fully transected, or partially transected. The dissection flap was repositioned and the pig heads were given to 3 blinded evaluators. Using a handheld ultrasound device, the evaluators were asked to determine the status of the nerve and categorize their finding as intact, fully transected, or partially transected. The recorded ultrasound images from the 9 study specimens were then analyzed and the distances of the lingual nerves from the alveolus were measured.


RESULTS
After becoming familiar with the ultrasonographic appearance of the lingual nerve, all of the evaluators were able to visualize and identify the nerve using the ultrasound machine. Lingual nerve injuries were accurately categorized in 17 out of the 27 total attempts (success rate, 63%). The average distance of the nerve from the alveolar cortex was measured to be an average distance of 1 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that ultrasonography can be effectively used to visualize the lingual nerve.
Olsen
James
J
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Papadaki
Maria
M
Troulis
Maria
M
Kaban
Leonard B
LB
O'Neill
Mary J
MJ
Donoff
Bruce
B
D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation; D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004210:Dissection; D008036:Lingual Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D061222:Lingual Nerve Injuries; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation; D011897:Random Allocation; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013552:Swine; D014463:Ultrasonography