Anatomical features of the mandibular canal and their clinical significance - review of literature.

The clinical issues related to the anatomical variation of the mandibular canal have been extensively analyzed since the 19th century. Evolving dentistry techniques and advancements in the prosthetics forced to collect detailed information about anatomical variations of the mandibular canal due to its neurovascular content. Therefore, its radiographic imaging became an essential part of the oral surgery, in order to avoid complications resulted from an accidental damage of the mandibular canal.

Micro-CT analysis of the internal acoustic meatus angles as a method of sex estimation in skeletal remains.

The aim of the present study was to verify the lateral angle method for sex estimation by using computed micro-tomography. Two measurements of the anterior lateral angle of the internal acoustic meatus were assessed. The performed analysis revealed that the mean angle at the level of transverse crest of the fundus of the internal acoustic meatus in adults is significantly greater in females (45.

Oval Window Size and Shape: a Micro-CT Anatomical Study With Considerations for Stapes Surgery.

Background: The oval window is an important structure with regard to stapes surgeries, including stapedotomy for the treatment of otosclerosis. Recent study of perioperative imaging of the oval window has revealed that oval window niche height can indicate both operative difficulty and subjective discomfort during otosclerosis surgery. With regard to shape, structures incorporated into the oval window niche, such as cartilage grafts, must be compatible with the shape of the oval window.

Visual perception of the osseous labyrinth rendered from micro-CT scans of the petrous bone.

Grayscale images comparing to the color images may have less of visual information necessary for easy recognition of the anatomical structures. Although micro-CT scanners deliver images of ultra-high resolution, application of false-colors to the rendered structures enhance their visual perception and allow for quick delineation between them and surrounding bony matrix. This paper presents differences of imaging of the osseous structures of the inner ear labyrinth using pseudo-color volume rendering in contrast to grayscale volume rendering of the micro-CT data.

Micro-CT study of the dehiscences of the tympanic segment of the facial canal.

Purpose: To depict the anatomy of the tympanic segment of the facial canal using a 3D visualization technique, to detect dehiscences, and to evaluate their frequency, location, shape, and size.

Methods: Research included 36 human temporal bones (18 infant and 18 adult samples) which were scanned using a Nanotom 180N device. The final resolution of the reconstructed object was 18 µm.

Volume rendering of the tympanic cavity from micro-CT data.

The current study presents volumetric reconstruction of the tympanic cavity obtained from micro-CT scans which pixel size was 18 μm. Thanks to this, osseous components of the tympanic cavity were shown in high optical resolution, causing that their morphological appearance was clearly demonstrated. Particular attention was paid on imaging the medial wall of the tympanic cavity, because its structures are of clinical importance.

Application of the temporal bone for sex determination from the skeletal remains.

This paper presents state of current knowledge on possibilities and accuracy of sex determination from the temporal bone. Experimental and comparative studies performed on temporal bones derived from different human populations allowed to verify to what extend this bone is valuable source of information on sex of individual. It was figured out that the temporal bone can be used for this purpose and the size of the mastoid process is considered to be one of the best sex discriminator.

3D visualization of the intratemporal course of the facial canal using computed micro-tomography.

The current study presents high resolution reconstructions showing the course of the facial canal within the temporal bone and visualizes the spatial orientation of the subsequent segments of the facial canal. 3D reconstructions of the facial canal were created from micro-CT data obtained from the right and left human temporal bones of an adult individual of the male sex. For this purpose, volume and surface rendering was applied.

Improved reliability for fractal dimension calculation of the vascular imprints on the cranial vault mapped with topographical correction.

We presented a novel approach to studies of the vascular grooves located on the inner surface of the cranial vault. A three-dimensional vision system that acquired the endocranial surface topography was used for this purpose. The acquired data were used to generate images showing the branching pattern of the middle meningeal artery.

Imaging of the Wormian bones using microcomputed tomography.

Wormian bones are irregular ossicles of small size and reveal fractal pattern of their edges. Their anatomy was visualized in volumetric reconstructions obtained from a series of micro-CT scans. In visual evaluation Wormian bones showed typical anatomy for the calvarial bones.

Trans-foramen magnum examination of the sella turcica region in the macerated human skulls.

This report presents a method of quick and accurate imaging of the sellar region by means of the laryngological mirror equipped with a light pipe and followed by taking digital photograph as the mirror image visible through the foramen magnum. A technique of the intracranial imaging of the osseous structures was tested on the macerated human skulls. Images of the sellar region were presented as the example of quality of the employed technique, which can be regarded as a simplified version of the endoscopic examination.

Morphological features of the macerated cranial bones registered by the 3D vision system for potential use in forensic anthropology.

In this paper we present potential usage of the 3D vision system for registering features of the macerated cranial bones. Applied 3D vision system collects height profiles of the object surface and from that data builds a three-dimensional image of the surface. This method appeared to be accurate enough to capture anatomical details of the macerated bones.