Prevalence Of Anatomical Variants in The Clivus: A Retrospective Computed Tomography Study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Clivus is a bony structure that is located at the mid-point of the skull base and is formed by the union of the Basi occipital and Basi sphenoidal bones. The anatomical variations occur in the Clivus that are Fossa Navicularis Magna (FNM), Canalis Basilaris Medianus (CBM), and Craniopharyngeal Canal (CPC). The determination of these variations is significant to understand the link for the spread of the infection from the skull base to the oropharynx and nasopharynx.

METHODS: A total of 250 CT images were collected randomly, out of which 113 were male subjects and 137 were female subjects. The CT images were assessed for the prevalence of Clivus variants. A P-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The statistical tests used were Pearson’s Chi-square test, Student’s t-test, and one-way ANOVA.

RESULTS: Overall, FNM was found to be prevalent in 52(20.8%), CBM in 33 (13.2%), and CPC in 7(2.8%) of the study subjects.

CONCLUSION: It is important that radiologists should be aware of these anatomic variations and should be able to distinguish them from pathological conditions in the clivus to avoid misdiagnosis.