Accessory navicular
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An accessory navicular is a large accessory ossicle that can be present adjacent to the medial side of the navicular bone. The tibialis posterior tendon often inserts with a broad attachment into the ossicle. Most cases are asymptomatic but in a small proportion, it may cause painful tendinosis due to traction between the ossicle and the navicular. Such changes are best seen on MRI.
Epidemiology
-
the prevalence of an accessory navicular bone is
present in~10% (range 4-21%)of the population, although may be substantially higher (~45%) in Asian populations 9 - first appears in adolescence
- more common in female patients
- reported bilateral prevalence is ~70% (range 50-90%)
Clinical presentation
Most of the time it is asymptomatic and found incidentally on radiographs, although medial side foot pain (accessory navicular syndrome) is the most common presenting feature of accessory navicular bone. The pain is aggravated by walking, running and weight-bearing activities. When large, it can protrude medially and cause friction against footwear.
Gross anatomy
An accessory navicular bone is located posterior to the posteromedial tuberosity of the tarsal navicular bone.
Classification
This classification was proposed by Geist 7 in 1914 and remains the most widely used classification system (c. 2021). The Geist classification divides these into three types:
-
type 1 accessory navicular bone (os tibiale externum, os naviculare secundarium)
- 2-3 mm sesamoid bone embedded within the distal portion of the posterior tibial tendon
- no cartilaginous connection to the naviculam tuberosity and may be separated from it by up to 5 mm
- accounts for 30% of accessory navicular bones
- usually asymptomatic
-
type 2 accessory navicular bone (prehallux, bifurcate hallux)
- accounts for ~55% (range 50-60%) of all accessory navicular bones
- triangular or heart-shaped
- typically measures around 12 mm
- connected to the navicular tuberosity by a 1-2 mm thick layer of either fibrocartilage or hyaline cartilage
- eventual osseous fusion to the navicular tuberosity may take place
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type 3 accessory navicular bone
- an especially prominent navicular tuberosity called a cornuate navicular
- thought to represent a fused type 2 and is occasionally symptomatic as a result of painful bunion formation over the bony protuberance
Radiographic features
Radiographs show a medial navicular eminence that is best visualised on the lateral-oblique view. Symptomatic accessory navicular bones may appear as a 'hot spot' on bone scan and on MRI bone marrow oedema can be seen.
Treatment and prognosis
Acute pain can be managed by corticosteroid injection and immobilisation of the foot for 2-3 weeks. For refractory cases, surgical management can be considered.
History and etymology
It is thought to have been first described by Bauhin in 1605 6.
See also
-<li>an accessory navicular bone is present in ~10% (range 4-21%) of the population</li>- +<li>the prevalence of an accessory navicular bone is ~10% (range 4-21%), although may be substantially higher (~45%) in Asian populations <sup>9</sup>
- +</li>
-<li>an especially prominent navicular tuberosity called a <a title="cornuate navicular" href="/articles/cornuate-navicular">cornuate navicular</a>- +<li>an especially prominent navicular tuberosity called a <a href="/articles/cornuate-navicular">cornuate navicular</a>
References changed:
- 9. Ng W, Tan T, Kam J, Mehta K. The Incidence and Anatomic Variation of Os Naviculare in a Multiethinic Asian Population. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2022;61(3):456-8. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jfas.2021.05.013">doi:10.1053/j.jfas.2021.05.013</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34750072">Pubmed</a>
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