Cone beam computed tomographic analysis of neurovascular anatomical variations other than the nasopalatine canal in the anterior maxilla in a pediatric population.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze and assess the presence of accessory foramina and canals other than the nasopalatine canal (NPC) in the anterior palate region in a pediatric population, through cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, describing their location, direction, and diameter. STUDY DESIGN: Reformatted sagittal, coronal and axial slices of 368 individual CBCT images were analyzed. Any bone canal with a minimum diameter of 1.00 mm other than the nasopalatine canal was analyzed regarding size, location, and course, as well as patient gender and age. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (22.3 %); presented additional foramina in the anterior palate (AFP) and in total 131 additional foramina were registered. A higher frequency of accessory canals was observed in girls (29.5 %) than in boys (15.7 %) (p = 0.012). The average diameter of AFP was 1.2 mm. Their location was variable, with most of the cases occurring in the alveolar process near the incisors or canines. Gender and age did not significantly influence the diameter. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms the presence of bone channels within the anterior maxilla other than the NPC in a pediatric population. Over 22 % of the population studied had additional foramina other than the NPC in the anterior palate, between 1 and 1.7 mm wide, with variable locations.