Incidence of metopism in the Lebanese population

• Published in: Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 148 - 151
• Main Authors: Baaten, P.J.J., Haddad, M., Abi-Nader, K., Abi-Ghosn, A., Al-Kutoubi, A., Jurjus, A.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.03.2003
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Bone Development - physiology; Cranial Sutures - anatomy & histology; Cranial Sutures - diagnostic imaging; Cranial Sutures - growth & development; Epidemiologic Factors; Female; frontal bone; Humans; Incidence; Lebanon - epidemiology; Male; metopic suture; Middle Aged; Radiography; skull sutures
• ISSN: 0897-3806; 1098-2353
• DOI: 10.1002/ca.10050

This study was carried out on 968 skull X‐rays to determine the incidence of the metopic suture in the Lebanese population. Complete and incomplete metopism was present in 0.82% and 0.93% of cases, respectively, leading to an overall incidence of 1.75%. In both categories, the incidence was relatively higher in males (1.84%) than in females (1.62%). Persons living in rural areas had a higher incidence of complete and incomplete metopism compared to persons living in urban areas, with ratios of 4:1 and 4:2, respectively. Other findings included an absence of frontal sinuses in all but one skull with complete metopism, accessory ossicles in the majority of cases of complete metopism (7/8), and hydrocephalus in one case. Medical records did not reveal any other associated diseases or abnormalities. Despite the low incidence of metopic suture in the Lebanese population, in X‐ray diagnosis of fractures of the frontal bone, metopic suture must not be ruled out. Clin. Anat. 16:148–151, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.