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Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy
Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy 4/2019

01-04-2019 | Computed Tomography | Original Article

Prevalence of anatomical variants in the clivus: fossa navicularis magna, canalis basilaris medianus, and craniopharyngeal canal

Authors: Seval Bayrak, Duygu Göller Bulut, Kaan Orhan

Published in: Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | Issue 4/2019

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Abstract

Purpose

This study determined the prevalence of fossa navicularis magna (FNM), canalis basilaris medianus (CBM), and craniopharyngeal canal (CPC), the size of FNMs, and types of CBM using 3D computed tomography (CT) images.

Methods

A total of 1059 3D images [649 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 410 CT] were evaluated in this study. The prevalence of FNM, CBM, and CPC, length, width, and depth of FNM, and type of CBM were assessed.

Results

Overall, FNM was identified in 7.6%, CPC in 0.3%, and CBM in 2.5% of the study group. Type 2 (0.1%) and Type 6 (0.1%) are the least common CBM types. There was no significant difference between genders for depth and width measurements (p > 0.05), however, the length of FNM was significantly higher in males than females in CBCT images (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

FNM, CBM, and CPC are rare anatomical variants of clivus. However, they can facilitate spread of infection to the skull base or vice-versa. These types of anatomical variations should be known by radiologists to avoid unnecessary diagnosis and treatment procedures and to distinguish anatomic variations from pathological conditions.
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence of anatomical variants in the clivus: fossa navicularis magna, canalis basilaris medianus, and craniopharyngeal canal
Authors
Seval Bayrak
Duygu Göller Bulut
Kaan Orhan
Publication date
01-04-2019
Publisher
Springer Paris
Published in
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy / Issue 4/2019
Print ISSN: 0930-1038
Electronic ISSN: 1279-8517
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-019-02200-3

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