Anatomical variations and morphometric study of pterion in a Thai population associated with clinical implications

Abstract

The objective of this study was to consider the type of variation and to estimate the landmarks for localizing the pterion. One hundred twenty Thai dry skulls were selected randomly from the Forensic Osteology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University. The distances of the parameters were measured via Vernier caliper. The sphenoparietal type is the most dominant in the Thai population with 88.75 %. In the male, the distance of the midglabella to the pterion was 9.94±0.64 mm The distance of the frontozygomatic suture to the pterion was 35.41±4.38 mm The distance of the zygomatic arch to the pterion was 39.39±4.69 mm and the distance of the mastoid process tip to the pterion was 86.88±4.44 mm In the female, the distance of the midglabella to the pterion was 9.27±0.63 mm The distance of the frontozygomatic suture to the pterion was 33.08±4.12 mm The distance of the zygomatic arch to the pterion was 33.08±4.12 mm and the distance of the mastoid process tip to the pterion was 83.62±5.16 mm. The pterion approach is the most popular method for neurosurgical procedures, and it provides anatomical variations in the pattern. The sphenoparietal type of pterion is the most common form and the stellate type of pterion is the least common form in Thai skulls. Sex influences the location of the pterion. These findings will be of importance to predict the pterion type in Thai skull and estimate the localization of pterion by using a bony landmark. Knowledge of the precise location of the pterion is an important landmark in the neurosurgical approach.