The mental foramen
is an important landmark for identifying the mental nerve, and the accessory
mental foramen is a rare anatomical variation. This article describes the use
of computed tomo- graphy (CT) to detect an accessory mental foramen that was
initially misdiagnosed as a radiolu- cent tumour in the right premolar region
of a 39-year-old woman by panoramic radiography. The case suggests that
preoperative CT should be performed to detect any anatomical variations. This knowledge
would help in diagnosis, preoperative planning and prevention of intraoperative
nerve or vascular injury.
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