Brugge, PHA ter (2025) The mandibular canal and its anatomical variations: comparing Cone-Beam Computed Tomography to macroscopic observation. A study on human mandibles. thesis, Medicine.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of BMCs in human cadaveric mandibles through macroscopic observation and to assess the accuracy of BMC detection using CBCT imaging by comparing CBCT observation to macroscopic observation. The reliability of CBCT findings were evaluated by analysing inter-observer variability. Methods: 23 human cadaveric mandibles were collected and CBCT images were acquired. The mandibles were examined for the presence of BMCs and classified according to Naitoh et al. Macroscopic observation involved examining the mandibular surfaces for foramina and subsequently sectioning the mandibles in frontal planes to evaluate the internal structure. CBCT images were analyzed by two OMF surgeons to detect the presence of BMCs. Results: The prevalence of BMCs identified through macroscopic examination was 47.8% for the 46 hemi-mandibles. CBCT imaging revealed a prevalence of BMCs ranging from 28.3% to 67.4% among the 46 hemi-mandibles, as detected by the OMF surgeons. The retromolar canal was the most commonly observed BMC type. The diagnostic performance of both OMF surgeons using CBCT imaging showed low sensitivity in detecting BMCs, while specificity varies between observers. The inter-observer variability between the OMF surgeons was considered slight, with a kappa value of 0.17. Conclusion: The prevalence of BMCs in hemi-mandibles, as determined through macroscopic observation, is 47.8%, with the retromolar canal being the most common type. The diagnostic performance of both OMF surgeons showed low sensitivity and varying specificity in detecting BMCs. The substantial inter-observer variability suggests that the detection of BMCs using CBCT is highly observer-dependent.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Haven, Dr. C.J and Kosta-Miedema, Drs. A.M.A.C and Pichardo, Dr. S.E.C |
| Date Deposited: | 09 Feb 2026 13:52 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Feb 2026 13:52 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3889 |
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