Anatomic analysis of the equine mental foramen and rostral mandibular canal using computed tomography

作者:Rawlinson Jennifer E*; Bass Luke; Campoy Luis; Broman Ashton; Prytherch Benjamin
来源:Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 2018, 45(3): 357-365.
DOI:10.1016/j.vaa.2018.01.002

摘要

Objectives To characterize the anatomy of the mental foramen and determine associations with age, weight, sex and breed.
Study design Retrospective descriptive study.
Animals Forty-one horses, 0.6-25.2 years and weighing 136-820 kg.
Methods Computed tomography (CT) studies of equine heads performed over 5 years were evaluated in multiplanar and three-dimensional reconstruction. Measurements obtained were positioning of the foramen along the mandible, foramen height and width, foramen-canal angulation and rostral canal mineralization. Exploratory statistical analyses investigated associations between measurements and age, weight, sex and breed.
Results Evaluation of 41 CT studies revealed foramen positioning was one-third of the horizontal distance of the incisor-premolar space from the second premolar and one-third of the vertical distance in the mandible from the dorsal surface of interproximal space at the level of the foramen. Age was negatively correlated to horizontal positioning [r = -0.42; 95% confidence intervals (CI), -0.64 to -0.13]. Mean foramen width was 6.4 (range, 2.3-17.1) mm and height 5.6 (range, 2.1-10.3) mm. Age and foramen height (r = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.57) and width (r = 0.30; 95% CI, -0.01 to 0.30) were positively correlated. Thoroughbred and Warmblood/Draft horses had increased foramina heights compared with Quarter horses [analysis of variance (ANOVA)p = 0.02]. Males had wider foramina (95% CI, -2.66 to 0.07). Angulation of the foramen-canal was mean +/- standard deviation 68.3 +/- 12.8 degrees (range, 37.9-105.6 degrees) transverse plane, 28.3 +/- 4.1 degrees (range, 18.2-39.0 degrees) saggital plane and 41.4 +/- 8.45 degrees (range, 22.2-58.6 degrees) dorsal plane. Older horses had decreased mineralization of the rostral canal (anova, left p = 0.015, right p = 0.025).
Conclusions The size, shape, positioning and angulation of the mental foramen varies. Mineralization of the canal is decreased in older horses.

  • 出版日期2018-5