Prevalence and Distribution of Pterion in Adult Dry Human Skull and its Clinical Importance

Abstract

Introduction: The pterion is a topographic point on the lateral aspect of the skull, where frontal, sphenoid, parietal and temporal bones meet. It lies in the anterior part of floor of the temporal fossa about 4 cm above the zygomatic arch and 3.5 cm behind the fronto-zygomatic suture. Aim: To determine the prevalence of type and position of the pterion using the standard cranial anatomical points. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2020 to September 2020 in NSCB Medical college Jabalpur (M.P.). One hundred and eighty dry human skull obtained from Department of Anatomy. Sutural pattern of pterion were classified into sphenoparietal, frontotemporal, epipteric or stellate type. Position of pterion was also determined in relation to three specific bony landmarks. All parameters were evaluated bilaterally, observations tabulated and analysed using SPSS software version 23. results: In present study, it was found that 84% (n=180) skull posses sphenoparietal type of pterion bilaterally, then epipteric type (7.73%) followed by frontotemporal (6.61%) and the least variety was stellate type (1.83%). The mean distance from upper end of zygomatic arch up to centre of pterion on right side was 35.12±4.1 mm and on the left side was 36.26±3.88 mm. The distance from posterolateral margin of frontozygomatic suture up to centre of pterion on right side was 28.84±5.80 mm and on the left side was 30.10±4.79 mm. conclusion: The study concluded that in present study, sphenoparietal type of pterion was most common bilaterally and stellate type was least common. The detailed data about the location of the pterion serves as a benchmark for neurosurgeons to localise the correct position for burr hole during all invasive surgeries