Topographical Variations of Wormian Bones in Eastern-Indian Dry Human Skulls: Current Perspective and Review of Literature

Abstract

Wormian bones occur due to the failure of fusion of the additional ossification centers with prominent skull bones. It may be misinterpreted as a fracture in cases of trauma. Several studies reported the racial differences in the incidence of Wormian bone. We aimed to determine the incidence of Wormian bone in the adult dry skull of the eastern Indian population with its location. A total of 30 adult dry (male – 14; female – 16) skulls of unknown age were included in the study. 53.33% (16) of the skull had the Wormian bones, out of which 13.33% (4) had a single Wormian bone; a maximum of ten Wormian bone was observed in a skull. The highest incidence of Wormian bone was observed in the lambdoid suture and pterion (62.5%) followed by asterion and coronal sutures with an incidence of 31.25% and 6.25%, respectively. Out of the four Inca bones, the largest Inca measured 63.8 x 59.6mm. Wormian bones are present in normal individuals with lower incidence. The number of Wormian bones increased in the pathological condition that shows its pathological and diagnostic implications. The knowledge about the Wormian bone is necessary to differentiate it from fracture or diagnosis of pathological condition underlying it. We hope the present study helps radiologists or surgeons in successfully differentiating a skull fracture from the Wormian bones by using modern-day imaging techniques.