Compared Craniometry in Dry Bones of the Anomalous Cranium.

Abstract

The increase in the cranium can be caused by conditions like hydrocephalus, aneurism, hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke; however, these cause a secondary increase in the skull only in the childhood. Quantitative and morphological disproportions of anatomic structures are considered anatomical variations and have forensic importance. Therefore, the aim of this study is to characterize the craniometry and cranioscopy of the referred atypical part as well as enumerate the wormian bones seen with the naked eye on a dry cranium found at the Anatomical Center II of José do Rosário Vellano University ‐ Alfenas, Brazil. The object of study is in good handling conditions, fully dry and treated accordingly to the local procedure. Full cranial measurements were carried out, especially the measurement of the circumference, anteroposterior and latero‐lateral diameter, using an analog caliper rule, Castro Viejo compass and tape‐measure. We found a measurement of 60.2 cm for the circumference, 27.4 cm for the latero‐lateral diameter and 33.0 cm for the anteroposterior diameter. Furthermore, there were 60 wormian bones in the skull and a hole that, probably, indicated the absence of one more suture bone. Pathological investigation was performed by means of magnetic resonance and x‐ray to search for complications inside the cranium, as well as highlight the mastoid cells. Given the fact, it is concluded that the cranium is an anatomical variation rarely found, both by the size of the diameter and circumference, and the number of sutural bones, constituting a forensic data for future studies.