Analysis of Genial Tubercle Anatomy Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography – A Retrospective Study from Chennai, India

BACKGROUND Analysis of genial tubercle anatomy using three-dimensional (3D) imaging can be valuable in preparation for genioglossus advancement in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea, estimation of the safe zone prior to implant surgery and evaluation of mandibular asymmetry. Hence the intention of the study was to analyse the morphological pattern, dimensions of genial tubercles and their position in the mandible using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients scanned using Sirona Orthophos XG device in the Radiology department, Saveetha dental college and hospital. The genial tubercles were identified, morphological pattern of the genial tubercles was classified into four patterns and linear measurements of the genial tubercle height, width, position of genial tubercles on the mandible in the images were done. The collected data was tabulated and analysed using SPSS software. A paired t - test was used for intra examiner calibration and a chi-square test was used for comparison between genial tubercle patterns in both the sex. RESULTS On analysing the genial tubercle patterns, type I (44) was the most commonly seen followed by type II (24). Genial tubercles were not evident (type IV) in 20 patients. Type III (12) was least commonly seen among the pattern types. CONCLUSIONS The anatomy of genial tubercles is highly variable. The mean height of genial tubercles (GTH) measured was 5.36 mm and mean width of genial tubercles (GTW) measured was 5.24 mm. KEY WORDS Genial Tubercles, Anatomy, Cone Beam Computed Tomography, Mandible