title: Depth of penetration of methylene blue in mandibular cortical bone.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgeons treating keratinizing odontogenic tumors (KOT) and other intrabony lesions frequently use methylene blue as an adjunct in peripheral ostectomy in estimating the depth of bone that has been removed. Depth of methylene blue penetration in cortical bone has not been evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specimens of mandible harvested from 9 fresh unembalmed cadaveric mandibles were stained with methylene blue. A microcaliper was used to measure total thickness of the cortical specimen along with the amount of dye penetration within the cortical block to the nearest 0.1 mm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average depth of dye penetration was 0.48 mm in the symphysis. Average dye penetration was 0.53 mm in the body. Average depth of penetration of 0.42 mm in the angle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of methylene blue as a depth gauge to ensure adequate ostectomy with a single application of the dye may be inadequate to ensure complete removal of lesion from bony wall.
authors.affiliation: Chief Resident, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Gailey
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor and Residency Program Director, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio. Electronic address: deepak.krishnan@uc.edu.
authors.forename: Deepak G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.affiliation: Professor and Chairman, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Marciani
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000601:surgery; D010027:Osteotomy; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D008751:Methylene Blue