A study on differences in the obliteration of cranial sutures and their clinical significance

Abstract

Introduction: There are very few studies on the patency of cranial sutures, and this study analyzes the difference in sutural patency. The objective was to study the difference in the patency of coronal, sagittal, and lambdoid sutures in Indian human adult skulls. Material and Methods: This study involved 120 Indian human adult skulls. The suture patency was graded in accordance to a classification proposed by Sabini and Elkowitz on a scale of 0–4. An open suture was classified as 0; fused but not obliterated as 1; and Grades 2, 3, and 4 represented 50%, and 100% of obliteration, respectively. Results: The lambdoid sutures were observed to be the most patent and least obliterated. Grade 1 sutures were observed to be 44.71% in lambdoid, 8.4% in sagittal, and 7.3% in coronal sutures. Grade 2 sutures were observed to be 42.6% in lambdoid, 49.3% in sagittal, and 46.7% in coronal sutures. Grade 3 sutures were observed to be 10.1% in lambdoid, 32.1% in sagittal, and 36.2% in coronal sutures. Grade 4 sutures were observed to be 2.6% in lambdoid, 10.2% in sagittal, and 9.8% in coronal sutures. No open sutures were observed. Discussion and Conclusion: Lambdoid sutures are more patent than coronal and sagittal sutures. This can be attributed to the presence of more muscular contractile forces acting on the lambdoid suture when compared with other sutures. The mechanisms involved in suture closure are complex and involve genetic and environmental factors, age, and tissue interactions. Therefore, more advanced research is essential for a clearer insight on this subject, which has immense clinical implications in neuroscience.