title: Prevalence of bifid mandibular canals by cone beam computed tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of bifid mandibular canals (BMC) by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined CT scans from 300 patients both male and female, aged 25 to 87 years. The subjects were divided into groups according to gender, male group (MG) and female group (FG) as well as subgroups according to the side, right (R) and left (L). Tomographic acquisitions were performed on the device I-Cat ® Classic. Image analysis was performed on the XoranCat ® software of the equipment itself, aided by image filters associated with transverse, oblique, and panoramic reconstruction cuts for analysis of the BMC. The results were displayed as descriptive analysis of the values and comparisons between factors were performed using ANOVA at a significance level of 95 %.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BMC was observed in 80 cases (26.67 %), of which, 39 (48.75 %) were in males and 41 (51.25 %) in females; no difference was seen between genders, neither by affected side, although the right side was more frequently affected (66.67 %) when both genders were combined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of BMC is significant and should not be overlooked.
authors.affiliation: Oral Pathology, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia - UNESP- Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho - São José dos Campos, Av. Eng. Francisco José Longo, nº 777 Jardim São Dimas, São José dos Campos, 12245-000, SP, Brazil. mfervillaca@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Maria Fernanda Lima
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Villaça-Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Oral Radiology, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia - UNESP, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Roberto Coutinho
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Manhães
authors.affiliation: Oral Radiology, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia - UNESP, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mari Eli Leonelli
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: de Moraes
authors.affiliation: Oral Radiology, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia - UNESP, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sérgio Lúcio Pereira de Castro
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lopes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: Anatomic variation; Bifid mandibular canal; Cone beam computed tomography; Mandibular nerve