title: The use of high resolution magnetic resonance on 3.0-T system in solid/multicystic ameloblastoma surgical planning. Case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The solid/multicystic ameloblastoma is a slowly growing, locally invasive epithelial odontogenic tumour. In 80% of cases this lesion occurs in the mandible, mainly in the posterior region, and it is characterized by the involvement of the inferior alveolar nerve. A panoramic radiograph of a 43-year-old man with chronic deep pain in the posterior area of the mandible showed a multilocular radiolucent lesion with scalloped borders in the left mandibular ramus. After the execution of a computed tomography of the jaws, to accurately determine the limits of the lesion and the relationship with the the inferior alveolar nerve, the magnetic resonance imaging was used.
  
  
  METHODS
  The spatial relationship between the lesion and the inferior alveolar nerve was defined comparing different imaging methods: panoramic radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. T1-weighted fast spoiled gradient-recalled echo, T1-weighted fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition, T2-weighted interactive decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry least-squares estimation and Diffusion weighted imaging acquisition sequences were used on a 3.0 T unit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regarding the inferior alveolar nerve course and its spatial relationship with the mandibular lesion, magnetic resonance imaging provided more detailed spatial and structural information than other imaging methods.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The described acquisition sequences allowed us to highlight the diagnostic efficacy of the magnetic resonance in the morpho-structural characterization of a maxillofacial lesion and showed the importance of this imaging method as an additional technique to the computerized tomography in the maxillofacial surgical planning, resulting in a risk reduction of the inferior alveolar nerve surgical injury.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Ameloblastoma, Mandibular Nerve, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Tomography X-Ray Computed.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Cassetta
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Pranno
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Di Carlo
authors: Valentina
authors: V
authors: Sorrentino
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Stagnitti
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Pompa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000564:Ameloblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control