Can magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reduce lingual nerve injuries during mandibular third molar surgery? A scoping review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recent advancements in MRI, with its superior soft tissue resolution and ionising radiation-free nature, provide a promising solution for the limitations of current imaging modalities. This review aims to evaluate whether MRI can be utilised to reduce the risk of lingual nerve (LN) injury during mandibular third molar surgery (M3M).

Methods

Following PRISMA guidelines, the protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024625994). A systematic literature search was employed across MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct without language or date restrictions. Studies assessing MRI's ability to visualise the LN and surgically relevant anatomy were included. The risk of bias was evaluated using ROBINS-I. Given the heterogeneity of incl

SUBMITTER: Alhyari R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12291357 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature