Prevalence of Epipteric Bones in Central Indian Adult Dry Skulls

Abstract

Background: A sutural bone is present at the pterion then it is called “Epipteric” or “Flower's bone”. They are frequently present in a variety of congenital disorders like hypothyroidism, cleidocranial dysostosis, progeria, rickets etc. Their presence is clinically important because it may lead to complication in making burr holes at pterion. Aim and Objectives: To find the incidence and number of Epipteric bones in Indian dry skulls of known sex. Material and Methods: In the present study, pterion region of 90 dried adult human skulls of known sex were examined for presence or absence of Epipteric bone. Results: Present study observed the incidence of Epipteric bones to be13.33%. Incidence rate was higher in female skulls than male skulls (male: 10.83%; female: 18.33%). Conclusion: This data gives idea regarding overall incidence of Epipteric bones in human skulls of India. The knowledge of this variable is useful for neurosurgeons, anthropologists and radiologists.

Keywords

• epipteric bone
• suture
• dry skull
• pterion
• lambdoid suture