title: Computed Tomography Findings of Mandibular Nutrient Canals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to assess computed tomography (CT) findings of mandibular nutrient canals using CT images.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively analyzed the mandibular CT images of 194 consecutive patients. For image analysis such as canal prevalence, location, number, size, shape, and the CT value of nutrient foramina were determined using CT axial images of 0.5 and 3 mm slice thickness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We revealed that the nutrient canals were seen 94.3% in the mandible, mostly seen in the anterior region. By location, nutrient canals were particularly seen between the central and lateral incisors. The mean number of nutrient canals was 2.7. The mean diameter of the nutrient foramen between the central and lateral incisors was 1.0 mm. In about 80% of the cases, foramina between the central and lateral incisors were ovoid. The mean CT value for the nutrient foramina between the central and lateral incisors was 411 HU.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mandibular nutrient canals were ovoid shape, and the mean CT value was 411 HU. By preoperative knowledge of the position and anatomy of the mandibular nutrient canals, complications such as injury to the nutrient canals can be avoided.
authors.affiliation: *Graduate Student, Department of Radiology, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Chiba, Japan. †Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Chiba, Japan. ‡Professor, Department of Radiology, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawashima
authors.forename: Kotaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sekiya
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Tsuneyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsukioka
authors.forename: Teruaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Muramatsu
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kaneda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006253:Haversian System / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult