Fossa navicularis in a pediatric patient: anatomical skull base variant with clinical implications

Abstract

<jats:p>The fossa navicularis is an anatomical variant of the skull base thought to be a rare finding. It represents a bony depression in the skull base. The authors here report the case of a fossa navicularis magna in a 9-year-old female who had been treated for recurrent episodes of meningitis.</jats:p><jats:p>A literature review was also done to highlight the unique features and clinical importance of this distinctive radiological skull base finding. The literature search covered papers from the 19th century up to 2018. Earlier authors described “fossa navicularis” as a very rare skull base finding. So far, only three cases of fossa navicularis with associated clival or intracranial infection have been reported in the literature. This is the fourth reported case, and the defect was closed endoscopically via a transnasal route. This morphological skull base anomaly should be considered in the differential diagnoses for an unexplained skull base infective pathology.</jats:p><jats:p>Skull base surgeons should be aware of the existence of the fossa navicularis because of its clinical importance in rendering a prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment.</jats:p>

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

“…3 In the literature, fossa navicularis has generally been analyzed in dry skulls or CT images. [12][13][14] There are a limited number of studies using CBCT. 1,3 Therefore, we preferred to use CBCT images in this study.…”

Anomalies of the clivus of interest in dental practice: A systematic review

“…One of these cases involved an intracranial infection and recurrent meningitis, while the other showed sinusitis and abducens nerve palsy. 10 11 In addition, Segal et al 10 presented a case with a unique thrombus in the left internal jugular vein. 11 Finally, 4 cases were presented as strictly incidental findings with no pathology whatsoever.…”

“… 10 11 In addition, Segal et al 10 presented a case with a unique thrombus in the left internal jugular vein. 11 Finally, 4 cases were presented as strictly incidental findings with no pathology whatsoever.…”

“…The stiffness of the neck was largely concluded to be connected to swelling of the cervical lymph nodes. Additional symptoms such as change in consciousness, 10 abducens nerve palsy, 10 and throbbing headaches 11 were noted. The patient with only a developmental pathology also presented with symptoms of sinusitis, which included fever and facial tenderness.…”

“…The IV antibiotic therapies included ceftriaxone and amoxicillin. The osteomyelitis and meningitis cases were treated with a mix of both IV and oral antibiotics, 8 9 11 while the intracranial infection was treated with IV antibiotics and anticoagulants due to jugular involvement. Moreover, all 3 infection cases were also treated surgically with drainage, and Alalade et al 11 mentioned repair of the clival defect.…”