Imaging Sci Dent.  2019 Sep;49(3):209-212. 10.5624/isd.2019.49.3.209.

Evaluation of morphometric features of fossa navicularis using cone-beam computed tomography in a Turkish subpopulation

• Magat G

• KMID: 2458369
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2019.49.3.209

Abstract

PURPOSE
Fossa navicularis is a bone defect in the clivus. Familiarity with this anatomical variant is important because it is close to vital anatomical structures in the base of the skull. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and morphometric properties of fossa navicularis within the clivus in a Turkish subpopulation using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 168 CBCT scans (female: 96, male: 71) were evaluated. High-quality CBCT images of patients without a syndromic condition or a history of neurological disease or surgery were included in the study. The prevalence, depth, length, and width of the fossa navicularis were performed.
RESULTS
The prevalence of fossa navicularis was 27.5% (n=46 patients). Sex was not associated with the depth, length, or width of the fossa navicularis (P>0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between age and length of the fossa navicularis (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Fossa navicularis was found to be rare (27.5%). Anatomical variants of the skull base can also be clearly identified on CBCT images. The results of this study may be useful to radiologists, anatomists, and surgeons interested in the skull base.

Keyword

Anatomy; Clivus; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Skull Base

MeSH Terms

Anatomists
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography*
Cranial Fossa, Posterior
Humans
Male
Prevalence
Recognition (Psychology)
Skull
Skull Base
Surgeons

Figure

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  Fig. 1 A. Measurements of fossa navicularis depth and length on a sagittal image. B. Measurements of fossa navicularis width on an axial image.

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