Assessment of canalis sinuosus, rare anatomical structure using cone-beam computed tomography: A prospective study

Abstract

This prospective study was performed with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images for evaluating canalis sinuosus (CS), determine its location and diameter in relation to gender, age, and distances from important structures, including floor of nasal cavity, incisive foramen, edge of buccal cortical bone, and palatal cortical bone. The scans of 650 patients in total were included in this prospective analysis. Gender, age, the position of the CS, its presence or absence, diameter, and its location in reference to the adjacent teeth were the factors that were noted. The study had 301 female participants and 349 male participants, with a mean age of 42.19. Compared to females, males had a statistically higher frequency of CS. Higher age groups showed a higher presence of CS in comparison to the other age groups. The mean distances of these parameters on the left and right side did not differ significantly. Nonetheless, the distance on both sides between CS and nasal cavity floor for males and females, as well as the diameter and border of buccal-palatal cortical bone on the right side, were statistically significant different. On the left side, both genders demonstrated significance in buccal cortical margin and nasal cavity floor. IIn addition, in females, the diameter of the CS on the right and left sides differed on average. The associations between age and number of CS, CS diameter, and number of CS versus sex were all extremely weak. Overall, the study findings showed that CS is a typical anatomical feature in anterior maxillary region, irrespective of age, or gender. The bony canal, CS is an obscure feature located in the frontal region of the maxilla. Surgeons can avoid complications by being aware of the auxiliary canals derived from this structure. With the use of CBCT, it is now feasible to examine the course of CS as it passes through the maxillary sinus’s anterolateral wall with better radiological accuracy has already been documented.