Assessment of Morphological Length and Anatomical Variations of Greater Palatine Canal Observed in CBCT- A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Aim: To determine the morphological variation of greater palatine canal by using data from cone beam computer tomography. Study Design:  Observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Radiology, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Uthandi, Chennai, between January 2017 - February 2017. Methodology: CBCT data obtained from 100 patients were evaluated. Both right and left greater palatine canal (GPC) were viewed in sagittal plane and coronal plane. The pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) was selected as the superior limit, and greater palatine foramen of the hard palate was selected as the inferior limit to assess the length and most common anatomical pathway of greater palatine canal among different age groups and sex. Results: The average length of the GPC was 32 mm (± 3 mm) with a range from 23 mm to 40 mm. Coronally the most common anatomical pathway consisted of canal travelling lateral inferior for a distance then inferiorly for the rest of the course (86%) of the canal from the PPF to GPC. In the sagittal view, the canal travelled most commonly in the inferior direction to a distance and then travelled Antero - inferiorly for the rest of the course (87%) of the canal from the PPF to GPC. Conclusion: Our study gives a better understanding to the clinicians about the morphological length anatomical variations of GPC while performing surgical procedures in the maxillofacial region.