Estimating the Person-Specific Location of Pterion Based on Cranial Morphometry.

OBJECTIVE

Due to being the weakest sutural junction of the crania and relations with intracranial anatomical structures, the accurate location of the pterion is important for surgical approaches such as in pterional craniotomy. The aim of the study was to develop regression equations to estimate the person-specific accurate location of the pterion based on the cranial morphometry.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted on 22 pterions located 11 dry skulls belonging to Anatomy Department of the Harran University, Medical Faculty. Twelve parameters related to pterion and 23 parameters related to the skull was measured using ImageJ software. SPSS 20.0 was performed for statistical analyses such as descriptive and comparative statistics and developing regression equations.

RESULTS

Statistically significant difference wasn't observed between right and left sides. The 12 equations, such as P8:distance between pterion and the tip of the mastoid process= 63,780 + (1,366 × K6) - (2,786 × K7) + (1,342 × K11) - (1,029 × K13) + (2,102 × K14) - (1,710 × K15) - (0,517 × 22) Adjusted R2= 0.995 and Standard Errors = 1.221 were developed to estimate the accurate location of the pterion based on the cranial morphometry.

CONCLUSIONS

In the previous studies, the mean distances of the pterion to certain landmarks on the crania were given. The authors developed formulas in order to estimate the accurate person-specific location of the pterion. The authors are convinced that the equations they have developed will help neurosurgeons in terms of surgical approaches.