Influence of the narrowing of mandibular canal to compressive origin trigeminal neuralgia

Abstract

Introduction Etiology of trigeminal nerve neuralgia in medical literature is very controversial and debatable [1]. It is necessary to note the theory of the compression origin, while analyzing etiology of inferior alveolar nerve damaged by neuralgia. However, there is very little information in medical literature, precisely about mandibular canal narrowing and its influence to nerve compression [2]. That is why hypothesis came up, to evaluate mandibular canal narrowing influence to trigeminal neuralgias etiopathogenesis.Aim To find out about the influence of mandibular canal narrowing to the third branch of trigeminal nerve (TN) neuralgia. Objectives 1. To measure the width of mandibular canal (MC) in three main points (in the angle of mandible, next to the mental foramen and in the middle of those two points) within three test groups and the narrowest point of the canal, also, to evaluate averages of constrictions. 2. To evaluate the correlation between patients with neuralgia and those, who did not have this disease diagnosed, also those, who have a broken bone in mandibular canal. 3. To analyze, whether sex and age has some influence to the canal narrowing and in which side of the mandible changes are more frequently diagnosed. Methods There were analyzed 790 orthopantograms. In the first group there were 382 control patients. In the second one – 50 who had trigeminal neuralgia. In the third one – 167 patients, who had a broken mandible. Of all analyzed orthopantograms, 191 had not been evaluated. To reach accurate results, very small canals, canals that had their margins blurred with shadows of surrounding sclerotized tissues were not included. Additionally, patients younger than 18 years old or who had a broken mandible out of the canal borders were excluded too. Analyzing orthopantograms, MC diameter was measured in 3 main points in all three groups: first – the site of the angle of mandible, second[...].