Complete metopism associated with other cranial abnormalities

ABSTRACT

Metopism is complete or incomplete persistence of the metopic suture that is normally present between the two frontal bones in the fetus, newborn and early childhood. Identification of the metopic suture and its morphological pattern have been infrequently investigated in some populations using visual inspection of dried skulls, plain x-rays of living and cadaveric heads and routine ultrasonographic examination of fetuses. The aim of the present study is to determine the incidence of persistent complete metopic suture in a collection of dried skull bones and to describe its morphology. We recommend that metopism has to be first ruled out before the diagnosis of frontal bone fracture in case of traumatic injury of the head. Additionally, a diagnosis of an abnormal configuration of the metopic suture in fetuses and newborns might give a clue to other more serious skeletal facial abnormalities