ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to assess the anatomic features and variations of the infraorbital canal (IOC).
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.
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.
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.
Keywords: Infraorbital Canal, Anterior Superior Alveolar Canal, İnferior Alveolar Nerve, Multi-Detector Computed Tomography