ABSTRACT

Aims:

The purpose of this study is to assess the anatomic features and variations of the infraorbital canal (IOC).

Material and method:

Digitally archived paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) images of 492 IOC of 46 adult patients (mean age; 36.7 ± 24.4 year, M/F: 154/92) were retrospectively reviewed. Course and bony structure of the IOC, existence of anterior superior alveolar canal (ASAC) and number of the infraorbital foramen (IOF) were evaluated.

Results:

IOC was observed as a groove, without a superior wall, rather than a canal in the majority of the images (64%). Presence of a true canal was observed in the 23% of the images. IOC coursed along the supe-rior – lateral wall of the adjacent maxillary sinus in 83% of images (n = 408). IOF was single in 88% of images (n = 433). ASAC was detected in 44% of the images (n = 216). In comparison to IOC, ASAC had a lateral (n = 135, 62.5%) or inferior (n = 81, 37.5%) course. In the 72.6% of the patients presenting with ASAC, conjunc-tion with IOC was detected just before the IOF.

Conclusion:

Anatomic features of IOC should be demonstrated in the patients who need orbital, maxillary sinus or dental implant surgery to prevent iatrogenic trauma to neurovascular bundles within. CT can provi-de accurate data in the evaluation of IOC anatomy, and correlative anatomical studies would strengthen the imaging.