title: Lingual vascular canal assessment by dental computed tomography: a retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lingual vascular canal (LVC) is an important anatomical structure in mandibular anterior region. Trauma to this structure during implant placement has been reported in this study. Dental computed tomography (DCT) provides a three-dimensional visualization of lingual vascular canal.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the frequency, location, and size of LVC using dental CT.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of 75 mandibular DCT was done. Evaluation was done to detect the frequency, size, and number of lingual vascular canal using Seimens Somatom Sensation 64.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 73.3% patients (male=34, female=21) demonstrated presence of LVC with only one patient showing two canals. The mean distance from the inferior border of mandible was 0.5 mm, S.D.±0.70. The mean diameter of the canal was 0.31 mm, S.D.±0.70.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dental CT provides adequate information regarding frequency, number, and size of lingual vascular canal, which is an important anatomical structure in mandibular anterior region.
authors: Department of Oral Medicine Diagnosis, MGV KBH Dental College and Hospital, Panchavati, India. docprashant_jaju@yahoo.com
authors: Prashant
authors: P
authors: Jaju
authors: Sushma
authors: S
authors: Jaju
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012984:Software; D055815:Young Adult