Metopism and Its Clinical Relevance: A Persistent Suture.

BACKGROUND

Metopic suture is a dense fibrous joint extending from nasion to bregma. Normally, closure of this suture takes place between 1-8 years of age. Failure of this closure beyond 8 years leads to persistent metopic suture. Persistent metopic suture may mimic skull fracture.

AIM AND

OBJECTIVE

To differentiate metopism from frontal bone fracture.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: 54 dry skull of adult humans in were studied. These skulls were observed for the presence (complete or incomplete suture) or absence of metopic suture.

RESULT: Metopic suture was found in 3.7% skulls. Both complete and incomplete metopic suture were found in 1.85% of the dry skulls.

CONCLUSION

Neurosurgeons, radiologists, otorhinolaryngologists, physicians, anatomists, forensic specialists, anthropologists and evolutionary biologists should have knowledge of this anatomical variation. This case series focusses on the importance of metopism. Metopism is a topic, which has not been much studied.