Classification and Morphometric Features of Pterion in Thai Population with Potential Sex Prediction

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The landmark for neurosurgical approaches to access brain lesion is the pterion. The aim of the present study is to classify and examine the prevalence of all types of pterion variations and perform morphometric measurements from previously defined anthropological landmarks. Materials and methods: One-hundred and twenty-four Thai dried skulls were investigated. Classification and morphometric measurement of the pterion was performed. Machine learning models were also used to interpret the morphometric findings with respect to sex and age estimation. Results: Spheno-parietal type was the most common type (62.1%), followed by epipteric (11.7%), fronto-temporal (5.2%) and stellate (1.2%). Complete synostosis of the pterion suture was present in 18.5% and was only present in males. While most morphometric measurements were similar between males and females, the distances from the pterion center to the mastoid process and to the external occipital protuberance were longer in males. Random forest algorithm could predict sex with 80.7% accuracy (root mean square error = 0.38) when the pterion morphometric data were provided. Correlational analysis indicated that the distances from the pterion center to the anterior aspect of the frontozygomatic suture and to the zygomatic angle were positively correlated with age, which may serve as basis for age estimation in the future. Conclusions: Further studies are needed to explore the use of machine learning in anatomical studies and morphometry-based sex and age estimation. Thorough understanding of the anatomy of the pterion is clinically useful when planning pterional craniotomy, particularly when the position of the pterion may change with age.

Morphometric Study On Pterion And Its Clinical Importance.

“…Bilateral occurrence is statistically insignificant. The study conducted by Uabundit N [11] in 100 dry skulls. The PMP distance, or the distance between the pterion center to the mastoid process of the temporal bone, was significantly longer in males.…”

“…Skulls with pathologies such as porotic hyperostosis were also excluded. The morphometric measurements were carried out by measuring the distance from the centre of the pterion to six different locations of the skull including, distance from the center of the pterion to the anterior aspect of the frontozygomatic suture -PSFZ, distance from the center of the pterion to the zygomatic angle -PZAN, distance from the center of the pterion to the zygomatic arch -PZA, distance from the center of the pterion to Henle's spine-PH, distance from the center of the pterion to the mastoid process of the temporal bone -PMP, distance from the center of the pterion to the external occipital protuberance -PI[Figure . 1] [9,10,11,12].…”

A Morphological Study On Shapes Of Pterion And Its Clinical Importance.

“…No significant gender difference was observed in terms of type and laterality of various pterions. The study by Uabundit N [18], 124 Thai dried skulls were investigated and reported Sphenoparietal type was the most common type (62.1%), followed by epipteric (11.7%), fronto-temporal (5.2%) and stellate (1.2%). Complete synostosis of the pterion suture was present in 18.5% and was only present in males.…”

Morphological variations of the pterion among skulls at the Galloway Osteological Collection in the Department of Human Anatomy Makerere University

“…Data was collected using a data tool adopted from Nongnut Uabundi for social demographic information from the catalogue of bones in the laboratory and distances were recorded in millimeters (Uabundit et al, 2021). The skulls were obtained and assessed for eligibility by the investigator assisted by an expert anatomist and a technician.…”