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. 2021 Nov;43(11):1887-1893.
doi: 10.1007/s00276-021-02742-5. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Radiologic evaluation of the fossa navicularis: incidence, morphometric features, and clinical implications

Saliha Seda Adanir  1 , İlhan Bahşi  2 , Mustafa Orhan  1 , Piraye Kervancioğlu  1 , Orhan Beger  1 , Eda Didem Yalçin  3
Affiliations

Radiologic evaluation of the fossa navicularis: incidence, morphometric features, and clinical implications

Saliha Seda Adanir et al. Surg Radiol Anat. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and morphometric and morphological characteristics of fossa navicularis (FN) on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of healthy adults MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT images of 900 individuals (450 males, 450 females, over the age of 18) admitted to Gaziantep University, Dentistry Faculty were retrospectively examined. The incidence and shape of FN were determined. Transverse diameter (TDFN), sagittal diameter (SDFN), depth in transverse section (DFNT), depth in sagittal section (DFNS), and the shortest distance between the deepest point of FN and intracranial cavity (FNI) were measured.

Results: FN was detected in 122 (59 males and 63 females) of 900 (13.56%) CBCT images. No statistically significant difference was observed between gender and the incidence of FN. SDFN, TDFN, DFNS, DFNT and FNI were measured as 4.04 ± 1.71, 4.28 ± 1.34, 1.79 ± 0.68, 2.34 ± 0.85, and 6.76 ± 2.23 mm, respectively. Besides, FN was described as oval in 95 of 122 (77.87%) cases, while as round in 27 (22.23%) cases.

Conclusions: The incidence of FN is rare; however, it may be responsible for serious consequences by causing infections from the nasopharynx to the intracranial cavity. As far as we know, the distance between the deepest point of FN and the intracranial cavity was measured for the first time in the literature with this study.

Keywords: Clivus; Fossa navicularis; Skull base; Thornwaldt’s cyst; Variation.

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