Evaluation of facial artery branches and direction by doppler ultrasonography

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the facial artery (FA) and its branches, the variations of the angular artery (AA), the course of FA in the nasolabial fold (NLF) by ultrasonography (USG); the resistive index (RI) value of FA in USG to evaluate the relationship between age, gender, and both halves of the face. Material and Methods: A total of 188 (94 female, 94 male) patients aged between 18-60 years who applied to Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology for examination for various reasons were included in our study.A total of 376 FA branches, RI, AA variations, and the course of FA in NLF were examined in both faceted halves of systemically healthy, non-smoker patients who did not undergo any surgical procedure on the face. Results: In the evaluations made by USG, the mean left RI value was 0.688±0.085, and the right RI value was found to be 0.703±0.092.It was determined that there was no statistically significant relationship between the RI values of FA and age and gender. When FA branching types were examined, Type1 was the most common, and when AA variations were examined, Type A was the most common, and when the course of FA in NLF was examined, Type A variations were the most common. Conclusion: No relationship was found between the branching type of FA, RI, AA variations, and the course of FA in NLF with age, gender, or both halves of the face.As a result, USG is an effective imaging method in the evaluation of the course of FA, the relationship between vascular structures and blood flow. Key Words: Facial Artery, Resistive Index,Ultrasonography