Detection of buccal perimandibular neurovascularisation associated with accessory foramina using limited cone-beam computed tomography and gross anatomy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate buccal perimandibular neurovascularisation associated with the mandibular accessory buccal foramina (ABF) which were detected using a limited cone-beam computed tomography (limited CBCT).


METHODS
Five Japanese cadaveric mandibles had been examined using helical CT to investigate the presence or absence of ABF. Two mandibles indicating the presence of AMF were examined more minutely using a limited CBCT. Following the three-dimensional radiological observation of ABF, the mandibles were removed from the cadavers and dissected with referring to the findings of AMF on the limited CBCT images.


RESULTS
Four ABF of the three mandibular sides, which were depicted with limited CBCT, had different perimandibular neurovascularisation. Three accessory foramina were associated with the following arteries: a branch of the submental, facial, and buccal artery, and one was associated with a branch of the mental nerve. A branch of the mental nerve re-entered the mandible through the accessory foramen after it exited from a mental foramen.


CONCLUSIONS
Limited CBCT is useful for pre-operative three-dimensional assessment of mandible since high-resolution analysis demonstrates not only the skeletal conditions but also the assessment and suggestions of perimandibular neurovascularisation.
Fuakami
Kaori
K
Department of Oral Radiology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, 2-1-3 Tsurumi, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-8501, Japan. fukami-kaori@tsurumi-u.ac.jp
Shiozaki
Kazuya
K
Mishima
Akira
A
Shimoda
Shinji
S
Hamada
Yoshiki
Y
Kobayashi
Kaoru
K
D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D004210:Dissection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation*; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged