Morphometric analysis of the Korean mandibular ramus using micro-CT

Abstract

[한글]When performing distraction osteogenesis, the osteotomy is normally applied to the cortical bone posterior to the mandibular second molar. We measured the topographic thickness of the cortical and trabecular bone of the mandibular ramus and at the mandibular canal in order to provide crucial anatomical data aimed at minimizing complications and elucidating the most appropriate site for placing the distractor. Forty sides of mandibles were prepared from 20 Korean cadavers (10 males and 10 females with a mean age of 68 years). The specimens were scanned and reconstructed into three-dimensional (3D) images using a micro-CT system. Coronal and horizontal sectional images of the mandibular ramus were taken at thickness intervals of 2 mm from the reconstructed 3D images. Image analysis software was used to measure the thicknesses of the cortical and trabecular bone and to identify the locations of the mandibular canal within the body and the mandibular ramus on each section. The mean thicknesses of the buccal cortical plate, trabecular bone, and lingual cortical plate were 2.9 mm (males: 3.0mm, females: 2.8mm), 9.1 mm (males: 9.8mm, females: 8.5mm), and 2.2 mm (males: 2.3mm, females: 2.1mm), respectively. The distance from the buccal surface of the mandible to the mandibular canal increased from 5.3 to 10.0 mm (males: 5.3-10.0mm, females: 5.3-9.1mm) when moving progressively anterosuperior from the mandibular angle region. Morphometric analyses of the mandibular ramus can provide crucial data for when performing mandibular osteotomy and locating an appropriate placement site for a distractor device during the distraction-osteogenesis procedure.

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