Length and anatomic routes of the greater palatine canal as observedby cone beam computed tomography

Abstract

Background: Greater palatine canal is used for maxillary nerve block. This procedure has somecomplications such as proptosis, blindness, and intravascular injection. This study aimed to determinethe mean greater palatine canal length (CL) and its typical anatomic routes, as well as provide areliable facial index for computing the CL by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data.

Materials and Methods: A total of 138 CBCT scans (65 females and 73 males) were evaluated.The path of the canal and the CL were determined by sex, age, and side. The mean distance from theinferior border of the infraorbital foramen (IOF) to the crest of alveolar bone between maxillarypremolar(CMP) was measured and compared with the CL. Paired t‑tests, independent t‑test, andone‑way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analysis.

Results: The mean of CL was 31.82 ± 1.37 mm (31.70 ± 2.44 mm on the right side and 31.94 ± 2.40 mm on the left side), and the values were 32.49 ± 2.37 mm in males and 30.55 ± 1.76 mmamong females (P = 0.001). The mean distance from the IOF to the CMP was 32.01 ± 2.18 mm,which was not significantly different to the CL (P = 0.336).

Conclusions: The mean CL was significantly different according to sex and side. The mean distancefrom the IOF to CMP was significantly different according to sex. On comparing the mean distancefrom the IOF to the CMP with the CL, no significant difference was observed. Therefore, the meandistance from the IOF to CMP may be a reliable clinical index.

Key Words:Anatomy, cone beam computed tomography, maxillary nerve, pterygopalatine fossa