title: Visualization techniques of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN): a narrative review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to produce an overview of the present visualization techniques of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) in order to reduce the rates of nerve damage after third molar (M3) removal and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO).
  
  
  METHODS
  An electronic literature search was performed of the English-language scientific literature published prior to December 31, 2014 using the LIMO KU Leuven search platform. Information on the specifications of the different imaging techniques, their clinical application, advantages, disadvantages, and duration was extracted from 11 reports.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five methods for IAN visualization were obtained from the search results, which are cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and automatic extraction of the IAN canal using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), panoramic radiography, endoscopy, and ultrasonographic visualization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that high-resolution MRI is the most commonly used method for direct visualization of the IAN. Six out of the eleven manuscripts use this technique. Recently, there have been some (experimental) modifications to the conventional MRI in the form of diffusion tensor tractography (DTT), phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography (PC-MRA), and dental MRI. Future studies will focus on an intraoperative application of MRI to visualize the IAN during surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000, Leuven, Belgium. annelies_weckx@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Annelies
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weckx
authors.affiliation: OMFS-IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jimoh Olubanwo
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Agbaje
authors.affiliation: OMFS-IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: OMFS-IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Reinhilde
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.|OMFS-IMPATH Research Group, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Constantinus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Politis
mesh_terms: D020209:Cranial Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery; D059229:Osteotomy, Sagittal Split Ramus / Q000009:adverse effects
keywords: Cone-beam computed tomography; Endoscopy; Inferior alveolar nerve; Magnetic resonance imaging; Panoramic radiography; Visualization